MP gives 50% discount on tour packages before Sep 30

The Madhya Pradesh tourism department has given a 50 per cent discount to tourists visiting the state before September 30.

Talking to mediapersons here today at Kolkatta, MPTD executive director G S Chahal said the department runs a network of 44 accommodation units with a total bed capacity of 1500 at over 30 different locations. Mr Chahal said about one crore people visit the state every year of which 60 per cent are pilgrims and about 10 per cent are from West Bengal.

''Keeping in mind the spurt in number of tourists we have started a direct Kingfisher flight from Kolkata to Indore and will soon start one from Bhopal,'' Mr Chahal said. Welcoming the people to the 'land of tigers', Mr Chahal said the state has some nine national parks and 11 sanctuaries, of them the Kanha National park is famous for having the largest number of tigers in India.''Pench is another place full of wild life that had inspired Rudyard Kipling to pen down his famous 'Jungle Book' and its most lovable character 'Mowgli'.

It also offers some of the exotic world heritage destinations like Khajuraho, Bhimbhetka, Gwalior and Mandu, an ancient medieval city, also know as 'City of Joy', he said. Besides, the state has some of the holiest places for piligrims like Amarkantak, Omkareshwar and Mahareswar.

He also offered film makers, the state's vast rough sites to make 'good' thriller movies.