Gujarat, known for its cultural and historical richness, is home to many heritage sites that are now attracting 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.
The Gujarat Government is also making efforts to recognise its heritage sites globally and promote tourism as significant steps toward growth with over ₹428 crore worth development works initiated to make these heritage sites even more attractive and convenient for tourists.
Vadnagar, a historical heritage site and the birthplace of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a key focus area for the Gujarat Government. It is believed that Tansen, the famed vocalist of Akbar's court, travelled from several cities to Vadnagar to relieve the burning caused by Deepak Raag. Thus, the magnificence of Vadnagar was widely recognised throughout ancient India.
Recognising 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 Civilisation, has also seen significant investments. 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. One of the unique features of Dholavira is the sophisticated water conservation system of channels and reservoirs, the earliest found anywhere in the world, built completely of stone.
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 focus on restoring historical forts. For instance, the restoration of the Uparkot Fort has been completed at a cost of ₹74 crore. 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.
On World Tourism Day 2024, the Government of India honoured 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.
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.
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.
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