Gujarat Welcomes Over 18 Crore Tourists in 2023-24, Boosts Tourism Development

Gujarat Welcomes Over 18 Crore Tourists in 2023-24, Boosts Tourism Development

By Nishang Narayan

Published on September 29, 2024

Gujarat’s tourism industry continues to flourish, welcoming an impressive 18.59 crore tourists in 2023-24, marking a substantial 24% increase from the previous year, according to Gujarat Tourism Minister Mulubhai Bera. The state has become a preferred destination for religious, business, heritage, and leisure travelers, reflecting its diverse tourism appeal.

Minister Bera highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat has experienced remarkable growth across multiple sectors, including tourism, business, and spirituality. The efforts of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel have further propelled Gujarat's tourism industry, attracting both domestic and international visitors.

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Significant Growth in Tourism

In 2023-24, Gujarat welcomed 17.50 crore domestic tourists and 23.43 lakh foreign tourists, bringing the total to over 18.59 crore visitors. Of these, 11.38 crore tourists visited for day trips, while 7.21 crore stayed overnight, significantly boosting local economies and employment opportunities.

Religious tourism continues to be a significant draw. The revered Ambaji Temple received the highest number of visitors with 1.65 crore devotees, followed by Somnath Temple with 97.93 lakh visitors, and Dwarka with 83.54 lakh pilgrims. Other key spiritual sites like the Mahakali Temple at Pavagadh and Dakor also attracted lakhs of visitors.

Business and Leisure Tourism on the Rise

Gujarat's growing reputation as a business hub is evident, with Ahmedabad recording over 2.26 crore business visitors, making it the top destination for corporate travelers. Other cities, such as Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, and Bharuch, also saw a significant influx of business tourists, contributing to the state's dynamic business tourism sector.

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For leisure seekers, iconic spots like Ahmedabad's Kankaria Lakefront, the Sabarmati Riverfront, the Statue of Unity, and Gujarat’s only hill station, Saputara, were among the top attractions. In total, 192.96 lakh tourists explored Gujarat’s scenic destinations, enjoying a break from their busy lives.

Heritage Tourism Flourishes

Gujarat's rich cultural heritage has always been a source of pride. Historical sites such as Vadnagar, Kirti Mandir in Porbandar, and the UNESCO-listed Rani ki Vav in Patan drew large numbers of visitors. In total, 22.49 lakh tourists explored Gujarat's historical and cultural treasures in 2023-24, reinforcing the state's importance in heritage tourism.

Expanding Tourism Infrastructure

To sustain and boost tourism, the Gujarat government is actively developing new tourist destinations. Initiatives include the Border Tourism project at Nadabet, the Sea Border Viewing Project at Sir Creek in Kutch, and the Greater Gir Development Project, which focuses on the Asiatic lions and Gir’s surrounding areas. The state is also enhancing Shivrajpur Beach to meet international Blue Flag standards, attracting more international visitors.

With continuous investments in tourism infrastructure, including the Dinosaur Fossil Park in Balasinor and the Wetland Development Project at Mokarsagar, Gujarat is well-positioned to attract even more tourists in the coming years.

As Gujarat's tourism continues to grow, it not only showcases the state's cultural, spiritual, and natural beauty but also provides increased employment opportunities for locals, ensuring a bright future for the state's economy and its people.


FLY91 Adds Extra Pune-Goa Daily Flight to Meet Summer Travel Demand

FLY91 Adds Extra Pune-Goa Daily Flight to Meet Summer Travel Demand

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 19, 2026

FLY91 has announced an additional weekday daily flight between Pune and Goa for May 2026 to meet increased passenger demand during the summer holiday season. The temporary addition comes as travel activity continues to rise due to vacations, family trips and seasonal travel movement.

The airline already operates daily weekday services on the Pune-Goa route, while weekend operations currently run twice daily. The newly introduced weekday frequency is expected to provide travellers with more options and greater convenience during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

According to the airline, the decision was taken in response to increased movement from holidaymakers, students, families and business travellers. The Pune-Goa route has witnessed steady demand throughout the summer season, making it an important sector within the airline’s growing network.

By adding another service, FLY91 aims to improve schedule flexibility while increasing seat availability between the two destinations. The move is also expected to ease travel during the peak vacation period and support smoother passenger movement.

Pune continues to remain one of western India’s key educational and commercial centres, while Goa attracts a significant number of domestic travellers during the summer months. The additional service is expected to further strengthen connectivity between the two cities and support increasing regional travel demand.

FLY91 said the new flight also aligns with its broader objective of strengthening dependable and safe regional connectivity across underserved and high-demand sectors in India.

The airline currently operates flights across 12 destinations including Goa (GOX), Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Solapur, Jalgaon, Sindhudurg, Kochi, Agatti, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada and Hubballi.


IRCTC Launches Bharat Gaurav Nepal Yatra from Indore for Pashupatinath Pilgrimage

IRCTC Launches Bharat Gaurav Nepal Yatra from Indore for Pashupatinath Pilgrimage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 17, 2026

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced a special religious journey to Nepal under its Bharat Gaurav scheme, giving travellers and pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh and nearby regions an opportunity to explore important spiritual and tourist destinations in the neighbouring country.

The special 'Pashupatinath Nepal Darshan Yatra' will begin from Indore on June 12 aboard a Deluxe AC tourist train. According to IRCTC, this is the first Bharat Gaurav tourist train service designed for passengers travelling beyond India’s borders, making it a significant addition to its tourism offerings.

The journey will run for nine nights and 10 days, covering some of Nepal’s well-known religious and tourist attractions. The itinerary includes visits to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, and Manakamana Temple. As part of the experience, travellers will also get access to a ropeway ride at Manakamana Temple and a Jeep Safari at Chitwan, arranged by IRCTC.

Passengers can board the train from multiple stations across Madhya Pradesh including Indore, Ujjain, Shujalpur, Sehore, Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal), Itarsi, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, and Satna.

Rahul Holkar, Executive Tourism (Indore), said: "Dining facilities will be available for passengers onboard, with two restaurant coaches arranged for this purpose."

He also shared that the train will have 14 coaches and offer three accommodation categories: First AC, Second AC, and Third AC. The package further includes five-night accommodation in three-star hotels, along with local sightseeing through AC buses.

IRCTC has introduced different fare structures based on the selected category. The package covers rail travel, hotel stays, meals onboard and during the journey, local transportation, sightseeing, travel insurance, tour escorts, security arrangements and housekeeping services.

Officials also clarified that the Nepal Darshan Yatra is a guided tourist journey and should be viewed as a specially curated travel experience rather than a regular international tour package. Bookings for the Bharat Gaurav Nepal Yatra can be made through IRCTC’s official website and authorised offices.


Air India Begins Twice Daily Flights to Ludhiana Halwara Airport

Air India Begins Twice Daily Flights to Ludhiana Halwara Airport

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 16, 2026

Air India has commenced commercial operations to Ludhiana’s newly operational Halwara airport, becoming the first airline to launch services at the airport. The new route strengthens connectivity between Ludhiana and Delhi while also opening access to Air India’s wider international network.

The inaugural flight from Delhi landed at Halwara airport at 0703 Hrs, while the return service departed from Ludhiana at 0800 Hrs. Air India will now operate two daily flights on the Delhi–Ludhiana route using its A320 family aircraft.

The newly launched services have been scheduled to provide passengers with smoother onward connections through Delhi to Air India’s international destinations. Travellers flying from Ludhiana can conveniently connect to cities including London, Paris, Milan, Rome, and Birmingham through a single ticket and a unified baggage allowance system with through check-in facilities.

Passengers will also benefit from same-terminal transfers at Delhi airport, allowing easier movement between domestic and international flights.

The flight schedule for the Delhi–Ludhiana route includes:

  • AI481: Delhi to Ludhiana (Halwara) – Departure: 05:55 | Arrival: 07:05 | Daily
  • AI482: Ludhiana (Halwara) to Delhi – Departure: 07:55 | Arrival: 09:10 | Daily
  • AI483: Delhi to Ludhiana (Halwara) – Departure: 12:55 | Arrival: 14:10 | Daily
  • AI484: Ludhiana (Halwara) to Delhi – Departure: 14:40 | Arrival: 15:55 | Daily

With the launch of operations at Halwara airport, Air India continues to expand its domestic network while strengthening connectivity between regional cities and international destinations.

Bookings for Air India’s Ludhiana flights are now open across all channels, including the airline’s website, mobile app, and travel partners worldwide.

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