GUJARAT: In a bid to unlock the potential of Gujarat’s rich cultural and natural heritage, the Government of Gujarat has been actively promoting tourism through various initiatives and policies. As the state gears up for the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, the state government has hosted 11 international and 8 national roadshows and delegation visits so far to showcase the available opportunities in Gujarat across sectors, inviting global and national companies to partner in the state’s growth story.
Gujarat, with its diverse geographical landscape, boasts a treasure trove of attractions, including UNESCO Heritage sites, vibrant festivals like the Kite Festival and Garba, Rann Utsav, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and pristine beaches. The state is also home to architectural marvels, including the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, at Kevadia, and the only habitat for Asiatic Lions in Gir. The city of Ahmedabad, recognized as India’s first World Heritage City by UNESCO, adds another layer to Gujarat’s cultural richness.
As a testament to its appeal, Gujarat ranks 1st in India in the number of Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs), drawing tourists from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the USA. To enhance tourist facilitation, the Government of Gujarat has embraced technology, implementing initiatives like the Atithyam Portal for digitizing tourist footfalls, Tourist Information Bureaus (TIB), and Tourist Reception Counters (TRC) across India.
Moreover, Gujarat stands as the only state with dedicated policy interventions for various sub-sectors of tourism, like the Heritage Tourism Policy 2020-2025, Cinematic Tourism Policy 2022-2027, Tourism Policy 2021-2025, and the Gujarat Homestay Policy 2020. The state’s commitment to promoting sustainable tourism was recently recognized with the UNWTO Best Village award for Dhordo village, Garba dance enters UNESCO’s list of ‘intangible cultural heritage’ and the state is also now set to host the prestigious Filmfare Awards in 2024.
During the international and national roadshows, the Government of Gujarat engaged in discussions with leading global and national Tourism and hospitality sector companies. Several companies expressed keen interest in establishing hotels and resorts at prominent tourist destinations, including Shivrajpur Beach, GIFT City, Statue of Unity, and Sabarmati Riverfront. Notable agreements were reached during the Vibrant Gujarat roadshow in Bengaluru, including an Investment Intention signed with Wonderla Park & Resorts for setting up an Amusement Park in Gujarat. The proposed investment is estimated at INR 350 Crores, with a projected employment impact of 1,000 jobs.
Other international and national companies, such as Lego Group (Denmark), Creative Visions Media Production Company (USA), People of Culture Studios (USA), Vietravel Corporation (Vietnam), and Ramada Plaza (Chandigarh), also engaged in discussions to explore investment opportunities in Gujarat’s vibrant tourism sector. Gujarat, with its blend of tradition and modernity, continues to open its doors to the world, inviting investors and tourists alike to be part of its journey towards becoming a global tourism destination. The Government of Gujarat remains steadfast in its commitment to creating an environment conducive to collaboration, innovation, and sustainable economic development in the tourism sector
