"The aim is to facilitate the visit of tourists from the neighbouring state," said Ashwani Lohani, managing director, MPSTDC. The office — to be set up at UP Paryatan Bhawan in Gomti Nagar area - will be inaugurated by August 10 which would enable the tourists from UP to get online bookings done for transport, accommodation and sight-seeing.

Showcasing the breathtaking tourism sites in the heartland of the country through a video, Lohani elaborated upon the facilities being provided to the tourists, besides stressing upon efficient corporate work culture of the MPSTDC.

According to Lohani, the state has to its credit of being the first one in many innovations in the tourism sector — this includes a rail coach restaurant in Bhopal. MPSTDC has also been awarded as the best tourism corporation.

The corporation accommodations have been refurbished to attain the level of three and five star hotels. There are mobile audio guides and airline ticketing kiosks facilitating the tourist in knowing various areas in a city and getting tickets booked anywhere anytime. The MPSTDC dhaba at Dodi on Indore Bhopal highway is the first dhaba to have an ISO notification.

Lohani said the officials of the Tourism Corporation are constantly innovating activities to attract tourism and make it more fun oriented. "This is the reason why the tourism industry in the state is enjoying an annual growth of 30 to 40 per cent," said Lohani.

Madhya Pradesh received an award in the year 2007 from the Centre for the best performing state in tourism activities.