Kota: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday emphasized the immense tourism potential of the Hadoti region in southeastern Rajasthan, describing it as a “remarkable confluence of water, forests, heritage, and culture.” Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the three-day Hadoti Travel Mart at City Park in Kota, Birla reaffirmed the commitment to position the area prominently on the global tourism map.

Birla noted that Hadoti possesses a unique identity, with attractions ranging from the Chambal Safari and historic forts to stepwells and religious sites. He stressed that the wide participation of travel agents and hotel operators from across the country reflected growing confidence in the region’s tourism prospects.

“The dialogue and wide participation witnessed in recent days have made this Travel Mart meaningful and purposeful,” Birla said. He expressed optimism that discussions during the mart would translate into increased domestic and international tourist arrivals, strengthening Hadoti’s visibility as a tourist hub.

Birla also highlighted Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat’s long association with Hadoti, noting that the minister had personally experienced the Chambal Safari. Shekhawat assured that the government would make sustained efforts to enhance tourism in the region, describing Hadoti as a destination with all the necessary elements for development.

“When developing new destinations, the focus must remain on offering unique experiences,” Shekhawat said. He added that Hadoti’s balanced mix of water, forests, and arable land makes it particularly attractive for tourists. He further highlighted the government’s objective to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy to 7.5 per cent by 2030 and 10 per cent by 2047, and praised India’s hospitality ethos encapsulated in Atithi Devo Bhava as a key strength. He described the inaugural mart in Kota as a “good beginning” for enhancing tourism prospects in the region.

The event saw participation from nearly 600 tour operators from 26 states, who visited key tourist sites in and around Kota to explore opportunities for including Hadoti in their tourism packages. High-level state leaders including Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, State Education Minister Madan Dilawar, Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar, and Rajasthan Heritage Development and Promotion Authority Chairman Omkar Singh Lakhawat also attended the event.

The Hadoti Travel Mart provided a platform to showcase the tourism potential of the four districts of the region—Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar, and Baran—through exhibitions, B2B meetings, and direct interactions between local entrepreneurs and national travel trade representatives.

Birla highlighted that the Travel Mart had successfully brought together stakeholders to promote heritage, culture, wildlife, and eco-tourism in Hadoti. He added that initiatives such as the mart are critical for building awareness about the region among tourists and tourism operators alike, creating pathways for long-term sustainable tourism growth.

The event also facilitated business collaborations, enabling local tourism service providers to network with national travel companies, thus helping integrate Hadoti into mainstream domestic and international travel circuits.

With rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and untapped tourism infrastructure, Birla expressed confidence that Hadoti is poised to emerge as a significant global tourism destination, offering visitors a blend of adventure, history, and ecology.

The Speaker concluded by urging both government and private stakeholders to continue working collaboratively to enhance the region’s accessibility, facilities, and overall tourist experience, ensuring that Hadoti’s full potential is realised on the international stage.