World Heritage Week 2024: Over 21 Lakh Tourists Made Gujarat’s Heritage Sites Their First Choice in 2023-24

• Heritage sites in Gujarat being developed at a cost of over ₹428 crore
• Tourism facilities worth ₹255 crore are being developed at Vadnagar and Dholavira

Gandhinagar: To raise awareness about the importance of preserving cultural and historical heritage, UNESCO celebrates World Heritage Week globally every year from November 19 to November 25. In India, it is organized in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India at various historical heritage sites across the country. This year, the theme for World Heritage Week 2024 is “Discover and Experiencing Diversity.”

Gujarat, known for its cultural and historical richness, is home to many heritage sites that have become the first choice for millions of domestic and international tourists. According to the Gujarat Tourism Department, over 21 lakh tourists visited Gujarat’s major heritage sites in 2023-24.

Historical heritage sites are undergoing development with tourism facilities worth over ₹428 crore

To make heritage sites more attractive and convenient for tourists, the Gujarat Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has initiated development works worth over ₹428 crore. The state government is also promoting concepts like night tourism with captivating light and sound shows at these heritage sites, which have been highly appreciated by tourists from across the globe.

Tourism-friendly facilities worth ₹255 crore are being developed at Vadnagar and Dholavira

Vadnagar, a historical heritage site and the birthplace of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been a key focus area for the Gujarat Government. Recognizing its cultural and historical significance, the state government has spent ₹70 crore over the past three years to develop modern tourism amenities in Vadnagar. The number of visitors to Vadnagar has seen remarkable growth from 2.45 lakh in 2022-23 to nearly 7 lakh in 2023-24, a nearly threefold increase.

Similarly, Dholavira, a UNESCO-declared World Heritage Site representing the Indus Valley Civilization, has also seen significant investments. Under the leadership of Hon’ble CM Shri Buupendra Patel, the Gujarat Government has planned tourism development projects worth ₹185 crore for Dholavira, with ₹76 crore worth of projects under Phase 1 currently underway. Once these facilities are completed, tourist numbers are expected to grow further. Visitor numbers at Dholavira more than doubled from 1.41 lakh in 2022-23 to over 2.32 lakh in 2023-24.

Modhera, Rani ni Vav, and Adalaj ni Vav are also top tourist destinations

Other prominent heritage sites like the Sun Temple at Modhera, Rani ni Vav, and Adalaj ni Vav are also gaining popularity among tourists. The state government has invested ₹20 crore, ₹18 crore, and ₹5 crore, respectively, to enhance the tourism infrastructure at these sites. As a result, these destinations witnessed a rise in tourist footfall. In 2022-23, these sites received 3.78 lakh, 3.52 lakh, and 3.72 lakh visitors, respectively, which increased to 3.81 lakh, 3.83 lakh, and 3.86 lakh in 2023-24.

In addition, the Gujarat Government is focusing on restoring historical forts. For example, the restoration work of the Uperkot Fort in Junagadh, costing ₹74 crore, has been completed. Similarly, ₹21 crore is being spent on the restoration of the Rajmahal in Amreli, and ₹25 crore is allocated for the restoration of the Lakhpat Fort.

Hafeshwar, India’s Best Tourism Heritage Village

On World Tourism Day 2024, the Government of India honored Hafeshwar village in Gujarat as the Best Tourism Village in the heritage category. To make the experiences of visitors truly memorable, the state government is set to develop various tourism facilities in the village at a cost of ₹10 crore.

Gujarat’s Heritage Tourism Embarking on a New Era

The Gujarat Government’s efforts to recognize its heritage sites globally and promote tourism are significant steps toward growth. These initiatives enhance the visitor experience and contribute to the state’s economic development. This new era of heritage tourism in Gujarat is expected to establish the state as one of the leading global heritage tourism destinations.