The Chhattisgarh Tourism Board (CTB) was established in 2002 to promote the tourism industry in the fledgling state of Chhattisgarh. Its core responsibility is to develop a favorable framework for private, public and community participation in sustainable tourism development. CTB is the only Tourism Board in India.

The State Government is in the process of taking several key initiatives to make the tourism sector a viable investment for both institutions and entrepreneurs. These include granting the sector “industry status” (which would help it secure project funding, tax benefits, concessional power tariffs etc) and exempting it from entertainment and luxury tax for a period of 10 years.

On its part, CTB seeks to carve a unique positioning for the State, so as to put it on the radar screen of discerning travelers, who have seen it all, done it all, eschew run of the mill and venture into the unknown in search of authenticity. The baseline, Full of Surprises, summarizes it all. Little known facts - dense forests, superb infrastructure, abundant wildlife, ancient tribal heritage and more - about this low-profile state are highlighted through all possible fora – trade and road shows, print and electronic advertising, a new revamped website, web campaign, eletters to tour operators and travel agents, Tourism Information centers across the country*. The focus is on the rich eco-ethno experience that Chhattisgarh offers.

These efforts have already started yielding results. Construction of highway motels and international quality Public Convenience Centers is in full swing at 21 locations across the State. Private entrepreneurs have also shown keen interest in investing in Chhattisgarh. Some of the world’s largest Hotel Chains are in dialogue with CTB for setting up their properties in the State.

* the first Tourism Information Center was inaugurated recently at Bhopal, and more are planned at Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Bhubaneshwar, Mumbai, Bangalore, Agra and Varanasi