Waking Up The Slumbering Giant

Capital View

Rabindra Seth

Madhya Pradesh is the latest state to bestir itself to tap its tourism potential. Sitting on such treasures as Khajuraho, Sanchi and Bhimbatka (all world heritage sites) and such attractions as Orchha, Gwalior and Mandu, scores of holy places and national parks like Kanha and Bandhavgarh, it remained content with half hearted initiatives for a place in the tourism sun. The state did build up
a vast network of hotels, lodges and wayside facilities but indecisive attitudes to privatisation eroded not only staff morale but also led to the decay of its infrastructure and quality of service.

All that is changing. And what is more encouraging is that change is visible. The swankiest corner at the Bhopal railway station is the glass-panelled air-conditioned computerised tourist counter. The most pleasing and elegant state tourist office in the nation's capital is at Janpath Hotel under the banner of M P Tourism. The man who has introduced this new-look is Ashwani Lohani. His creditable track record as chairman and managing director of ITDC, earned him the challenging position as managing director of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. He says, "There is a paradigm shift underway in M P Tourism. The slumbering giant is waking up to register its arrival as a happening tourist state. The sector is enjoying unprecedented priority with the government and higher financial outlay projects are being sanctioned by the centre. The focus is on planned destination and circuit development."

The tourism corporation which is the nodal body for developing infrastructure and for marketing the state's attractions has a network of 42 accommodation units (including half a dozen large hotels) with a bed capacity of nearly 1,400, cafeteria, sound and light shows and boat clubs. In the few months since he took over, Lohani has set in motion renovations and upgrading of all properties, launched successful staff motivation programmes and introduced innovations like IT, considerably enhancing guest experience. Take the case of its Palash Hotel in Bhopal sitting astride the road that divides the city's old and new parts. From a tatty, run down facility it has within a short time emerged as a classy property with its own captive power, TV and fridge in every room, fresh furnishing, new crockery and cutlery, smart uniforms, more conference and banqueting areas. What sets the Palash apart is that it has walk-in coolers and Laundromat, the first in Bhopal and perhaps in the whole state. There is something new for the staff too - lockers, changing rooms and rest areas. The hotel has a portico which did not exist before and the lobby, public areas and the restaurant have all been renovated.

What has happened at the Palash is being repeated at all other properties, notably the Ashok Hotel in Bhopal (a joint venture with ITDC) overlooking the city's great lake. At the lake itself the Boat Club has a glass panelled fast food restaurant. Speed boats have been added to the facilities for kayaking and canoeing and two air conditioned cruise boats will be arriving by March. A second jetty on the other side of the lake is being built to meet the growing demand of water sport fans.

Lohani tells the interesting story of how he saved the corporation from losing all its transport when he stopped the auction of vehicles at the last minute. Today, MP Tourism runs a fleet of 40 cars and safari buses for sightseeing, providing not only a much needed service for the visitor but also earning handsome revenue.

This writer was also able to see the upgradation that has taken place at Orchha where some 90 per cent of the tourists come from abroad. The eight-room Sheesh Mahal, part of the grand Jehangir Mahal, is completely renovated and its deluxe Maharaja and Maharani suites are much in demand. The corporation's other property, Betwa Cottages has had its share of upgrading. It has added tented accommodation and a chaupal to give the visitor a feel of village life.

An area where MP Tourism has made the biggest strides is in the use of IT. All its units and sales offices spread over the country are linked by computers which offer on-line booking of rooms. Toll free links are available between Bhopal, Indore, Jubbalpore and Gwalior. And its package tours which cover senior citizens too are becoming increasingly popular.

Are the changes paying off? Yes, says Lohani. His corporation is no longer in the red. He hopes to end the current year with a 35 per cent increase in revenue and with a 100 per cent in the next year. He is confident his dream of making Madhya Pradesh a frontline tourist state is taking shape.

(The writer is a freelance columnist and can be contacted at rabseth@yahoo.com)