Nagpur : Gujarat Tourism hosted a promotional event in the city at Hotel Tuli Imperial to announce newer opportunities in the state. Senior officials along with Shri. Kamlesh Patel, Chairman, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL), were present at the event and interacted with media, tour operators and hoteliers during the roadshow.
The roadshow highlighted the enormous tourism potential of the Statue of Unity from a local and global perspective. The 182-metre high memorial to Sardar Patel is the tallest man-made statue in the world and is visible from space. Located on an islet in Kevadiya in Gujarat’s Narmada district, the imposing monument stands 54 metres (177 ft) taller than the previous record holder, the Spring Temple Buddha in China’s Henan province, followed by Ushiku Daibutsu (120 meters) in Japan, Laykyun Sekkya Buddha (116 meters) in Myanmar and Guanyin of The South Sea of Sanya (108 meters) in China.
In 2013 Shri. Narendra Modi, then serving as Chief Minister of Gujarat, laid the statue’s foundation stone on 31 October. The construction of monument was completed in 56 months and the inaugural ceremony was presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31st October 2018. Over 1.3 Lakhs tourist visited the destination since it was opened to public on 1st November.
Shri. Kamlesh Patel, Chairman, TCGL said “Statue of Unity has put Kevadiya in the global map, making it the most touted destination of the future. The monument has attracted global media attention which has helped to spread the word internationally. Since the Statue of Unity has become a global iconic memorial, the monument’s popularity will attract a global audience to the destination.” He also added, “We are also ready with attractive packages for travellers that will offer a unique experience at our Tent City Narmada, which is luxurious and encircled with the natures beauty.”
Main attractions and facilities for tourists
Statue of Unity
Standing tall, the Statue of Unity is truly a sight to behold with the picturesque views of the majestic Sardar Sarovar Dam making it an ideal tourist destination. The fully-functional memorial site commemorates the visionary ideology of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with its fascinating edutainment components like Museum & Audio Visual Gallery, Viewing Gallery, High-Speed Lift, and a laser, light and sound show, among several other Hospitality & Entertainment elements.
Sardar Sarovar Dam
Sardar Sarovar Dam, located on the Narmada River in Gujarat, is the world’s second largest dam in terms of size and volume and it has the largest water carrying capacity of 40,000 cusecs. The dam has the longest canal network in the world. It has a height of 138 meters, making it a key attraction for tourists and engineers for its marvellous viewpoints and engineering technology.
Tent City Narmada
Tent City Narmada is beautifully placed beneath the shadow of the Statue of Unity. The luxurious nature resort is a perfect getaway for urban travellers who wish to seek a close-to-nature experience away from the fast-paced city life. The rolling hills, lakes, wooded areas and pollution-free air is a big incentive for all.
The Tent Nestlings at Tent City Narmada are luxurious and well-appointed, where five-star food complements the five-star accommodation. There is a choice of packages, starting from quick 1-day getaways to lazy 2-day escapes from the city. For weekends, bunched holidays, occasions, educational trips, or corporate outings, Tent City Narmada is the perfect nature retreat.
The Resort has three exciting accommodation options to suit requirements of all types of tourists – Luxury Tents, Deluxe Tents and Standard Tents, well-equipped with modern amenities.
Key Attractions
• Statue of Unity is the world’s tallest at 182m
• Viewing Gallery at 153m – at the chest level – to accommodate up to 200 visitors at one go
• Two heavy-load, glass elevators offering a stunning, panoramic view on the ride up
• A Memorial Garden at the base of the Statue
• Accommodation in Premium AC/Non-AC Tents
• Sightseeing Tour to historic Shoolpaneshwar Temple and majestic Rajvant Palace
• Shopping and cultural delight
• Selfie Point for perfect photos with Statue of Unity
• Delicious regional, Indian and continental cuisines
• Hiking tour to explore ecotourism site
Overview on tourism in Gujarat State
Gujarat has immense potential to become a major tourist destination. The gross flow during the year was 326.91 lacs which is 13.56% higher than flow in 2013-14. Recently Rani-Ki-Vav has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Government has put emphasis on event-based tourism for attracting tourists to Gujarat. Navratri Festival, International Kite Festival, Rann Utsav and Tarnetar Fair is organised every year as a part of event based tourism.
Gujarat today offers a wide range of the most spectacular attractions – which includes breath-taking locations and scenic landscapes. Gujarat is also a melting pot of several civilizations resulting in a vibrant culture and a rich heritage. Gujarat is home to unique and exceptional archaeological sites, several architectural marvels and witnesses of its glorious history and pilgrim centres for many faiths. Finally, it is also the land of several mythological and historical figures like the legendary Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of non-violence.
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