Ahmedabad, May 22: The world-renowned tourist destination, the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, is always bustling with visitors. Every year, millions flock to Ekta Nagar in Narmada district. Previously, tourists often struggled to find comprehensive information about the site. Now, they are assisted by trained tourist guides who share insights about the history of the Statue of Unity and the beautiful attractions nearby. Visitors are delighted with the exceptional tourism experience provided.
Tourist Dimple shared that the guides explain various locations, including the Statue of Unity, jungle safari, Miyawaki forest, and Arogya Van, in a very engaging manner. They effectively communicate the unique features of Arogya Van and details about medicinal plants in a language that resonates with the tourists.
This transformation is part of an initiative by the Gujarat government aimed at enhancing tourism and the overall visitor experience. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, 2026 has been declared the ‘Gujarat Tourism Year.’ The government has also decided to provide professional training to 1,000 tourist guides. Approximately 150 trained guides have been deployed at the Statue of Unity, creating job opportunities for local youth while benefiting tourists.
Mahendra Tadvi, a trained tourist guide at the Statue of Unity, mentioned that they received free training from the Statue of Unity Authority. This has boosted their confidence and improved their language skills, leading to greater financial stability for their families. A total of 150 guides underwent this training, which included practical experience at various project sites.
Currently, 120 guides are employed at the Statue of Unity, with new hiring occurring annually. This trend provides local residents with fresh job opportunities, enabling them to support their families and become self-reliant.
In addition to interpersonal skills, these guides received training in Hindi, English, and Gujarati, along with detailed information about all major and famous sites in the area.
Amit Arora, CEO of the Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Authority, explained that to ensure a uniform experience, model scripts have been created for each attraction. Guides have been trained using these scripts, detailing what to communicate to visitors and which features to highlight.
Similar trained tourist guides have also been deployed at other historical sites in Gujarat, such as Dholavira and Lothal, as well as various religious tourist spots and famous temples. This initiative by the Gujarat government not only aims to curb youth migration by providing sustainable livelihoods but also ensures that the journeys of domestic and international tourists are memorable.
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