The Gujarat government has announced 2026 as the “Gujarat Tourism Year” with a focus on enhancing heritage, pilgrimage, and coastal tourism infrastructure in the state. Finance Minister Kanu Desai revealed plans in the 2026-27 Budget, including allocations for key destinations and transport facilities. One initiative is the “Wed in Gujarat” campaign to promote the state as a wedding and destination tourism hub.
An allocation of Rs 236 crore has been designated for infrastructure development at the Statue of Unity, a significant tourist attraction in the state. This funding aims to improve visitor amenities and facilities at the site. Additionally, Rs 95 crore has been earmarked for the National Maritime Heritage Museum at Lothal and for training 1,000 tourist guides to enhance visitor experiences at heritage sites.
For pilgrimage infrastructure, the government has allocated Rs 300 crore for the Ambaji Corridor Masterplan at Ambaji Temple. Another Rs 55 crore has been set aside for facilities at Bahucharaji Temple, Girnar, and along the Narmada Parikrama route, focusing on enhancing amenities for pilgrims. Coastal and temple tourism projects include Rs 60 crore for development works at Somnath Temple and Shivrajpur Beach, as well as tourism development between Visavada and Porbandar to strengthen the coastal tourism circuit.
To support increased visitor footfall, Rs 447 crore has been allocated for the development of bus ports at Somnath and Ambaji, aiming to enhance connectivity and passenger amenities at major pilgrimage centers. The tourism initiatives align with broader infrastructure spending in the Budget, with substantial allocations for roads and public transport to improve access to key destinations during the Gujarat Tourism Year 2026.
