Gandhinagar: Gujarat has announced a new rural tourism initiative under its Gujarat Tourism Year 2026-27, with the state planning to promote homestays in 100 villages while expanding tourist-guide training and tourism-linked activities.
The announcement was made on World Tourism Day at an event in GIFT City, where Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Harsh Sanghavi unveiled the logo of Gujarat Tourism Year 2026-27.
100 Villages Identified for Homestay Development
The state’s new Homestay Policy provides for the development of accommodation facilities in selected villages while retaining elements of their traditional character and adding modern amenities.
The programme will also cover skill development and hygiene facilities in rural and tribal areas. The government plans to train more than 1,000 additional tourist guides as part of the initiative.
Officials also discussed measures to increase access to rural credit and tourism-related opportunities through collaboration with stakeholders in the sector.
The government is considering gap funding for tour operators, based on representations received, to support efforts to attract international tourists to selected cultural festivals and destinations. The proposal includes events such as Kawant Holi, Uttarayan and Navratri, as well as destinations such as Dharoi Water Reservoir and Shivrajpur.
Sports Tourism and Film-Shooting Portal
Gujarat also announced plans to use major sporting events as part of its tourism promotion strategy.
According to the announcement, HYROX will be held in Gandhinagar from November 26 to 28. The state expects more than 10,000 participants and tourists, including over 1,000 foreign athletes, for the event. An Ironman/Half-Ironman event is also planned in Ahmedabad on February 14.
Sanghavi also launched the Gujarat Film Shooting Permission Portal, a single-window digital platform intended to streamline applications for permissions and no-objection certificates required for film shoots in the state.
Eight MoUs were signed during the programme covering sports, technology, education, digital ticketing and skill development. The organisations involved include HYROX/Ironman, BookMyShow, Kutch University, Ahmedabad Management Association, SVNIT, Kaushalya – The Skill University, Tata STRIVE and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India.
Sanghavi also stressed cleanliness and civic responsibility around major tourist destinations, saying:
“Development of religious and spiritual destinations such as Somnath, Ambaji, Pavagadh and Dwarka needed to be accompanied by cleanliness and civic responsibility at the local level.”
Minister of State for Tourism Jayram Gamit called on tour operators to develop packages around Gujarat’s festivals and tourism destinations. Homestay operators and tourist guides were also felicitated as “Tourism Champions” at the event.
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