Gandhinagar — In a bid to enhance rural tourism, the Gujarat government announced a new initiative on World Tourism Day. The state will promote modern homestay facilities in 100 villages, part of its ‘Gujarat Tourism Year 2026-27’ strategy.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi unveiled this plan during an event in GIFT City, alongside the launch of the official tourism logo and the new Gujarat Film Shooting Permission Portal. Minister of State for Tourism Jayram Gamit also participated in the announcement.
The initiative aims to preserve the traditional charm of selected villages while integrating modern amenities for guests. This effort is expected to not only attract tourists but also create job opportunities in rural areas.
Sanghavi emphasized that more than 1,000 tourist guides will be trained as part of this project, focusing on young people looking for employment within the tourism sector.
The government intends to offer financial assistance to tour operators based on requests, aimed at drawing international visitors to local cultural festivals such as Kawant Holi, Uttarayan, and Navratri. Key destinations like Dharoi Water Reservoir and Shivrajpur are also included in this push.
Sanghavi called for collaboration across the tourism sector, urging hotels and transport providers to maintain high standards of cleanliness and hospitality. “Enhancing religious sites like Somnath and Dwarka requires civic responsibility,” he noted.
The deputy chief minister also shared plans for upcoming events, including a global fitness contest called ‘HYROX’ from November 26-28 in Gandhinagar, expecting over 10,000 participants.
- An Ironman event is set for February 14 in Ahmedabad.
This initiative comes with various partnerships signed during the launch event, encompassing sports tourism and skill development collaborations with educational institutions across Gujarat.