Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave, Ujjain, to Focus on Infrastructure and Digital Innovation, Economic Impact Assessment, Strategic Industry Collaboration, and Addressing Growing Demand

The ancient city of Ujjain hosted the 2nd Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave, a three-day event commencing August 27, 2024, aimed at advancing India's position in the global spiritual tourism market. The conclave, organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, bringing together delegates from prominent spiritual destinations, including Ayodhya and Varanasi. Participants visited the revered Mahakaleshwar and Kal Bhairav Temples as part of the pilgrimage experience India offers to spiritual seekers.

The primary objective of this global spiritual tourism event was to foster dialogue on strengthening infrastructure for spiritual tourism while exploring the integration of emerging technologies. The conclave examined how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) can enhance digital technology in tourism, particularly in creating immersive pilgrimage experiences for devotees.

Titled "Ruh-mantic," the event generated comprehensive discussions between government officials, industry leaders, and spiritual thinkers on harmonizing traditional practices with modern technological solutions in India's tourism development. The conclave has also featured a high-level government-industry roundtable chaired by the CM of Madhya Pradesh, providing a collaborative platform for leading corporates and PHDCCI members to address infrastructure strengthening and cultural promotion initiatives.

The inaugural session has featured distinguished dignitaries, with Dr. Mohan Yadav, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, serving as Chief Guest, and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon'ble Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India, as Guest of Honour.

Spiritual Leader Gauranga Das Prabhu delivered the keynote address, establishing a spiritual foundation of the conclave. Additional speakers include Suman Billa (IAS), Additional Secretary & Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and Sheo Shekhar Shukla (IAS), Principal Secretary – Tourism, Government of Madhya Pradesh.

A significant highlight of the inaugural session is the release of the PHDCCI-KPMG Report on Spiritual Tourism, titled "Faith & Flow: Navigating crowds in India's sacred spaces." This comprehensive analysis will further examine how faith-driven travel influences India's economy, cultural landscape, and global positioning in wellness tourism. With increasing interest in pilgrimages to India's sacred destinations, including Tirupati, Amritsar, Rishikesh, and Varanasi, the event addressed the critical need for a sustainable and efficient tourism infrastructure management. The Ujjain tourism sector, particularly its temple economies, stands to benefit significantly from improved coordination between spiritual sites and modern tourism management practices.

The conclave features diverse thematic sessions covering the economic lifelines of temple towns, digital transformation of spiritual experiences, the role of wellness in spiritual journeys, and the cultural significance of the Jyotirlinga circuit. The Ujjain temple economy, anchored by the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, represents a significant component of Madhya Pradesh's tourism revenue and serves as a model for sustainable spiritual tourism development across India. These discussions will explore the evolving intersection of faith and technology in contemporary spiritual tourism.