India is set to transform its lighthouses into vibrant tourist destinations under the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 initiative. The Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) is spearheading efforts to repurpose existing lighthouse facilities for tourism, including the development of heritage and maritime museums.
On July 11, 2024, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, chaired a Stakeholders Meeting aimed at conceptualizing and strategizing the promotion of lighthouse tourism.
Organized by the DGLL, the meeting focused on showcasing the unique tourism potential of lighthouses as spots of historical, cultural, and scenic significance. Minister Sonowal stressed the success of this initiative, noting that over 500,000 tourists visited lighthouses between April and June 2024. He attributed this success to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and stated that the meet underscored the government’s commitment to promote lighthouse tourism and revitalize these iconic structures as vibrant tourist destinations.
The Stakeholders Meet aimed to foster collaboration among government bodies, tourism agencies, local communities, and private sector stakeholders. The event highlighted the potential economic benefits for local communities through increased tourism, identified potential challenges to promoting lighthouse tourism, and motivated stakeholders by underscoring the importance of their contributions.
Minister Sonowal remarked, “India, with its diverse geography, brings along tremendous opportunities to showcase our dynamic mix of culture, social ethos, and history. Lighthouses, besides acting as marine guidance tools, are also beacons of rich historical accounts with potential to transform as centers of tourism.”
According to the minister, the government decided to celebrate the lighthouses as symbols of rich maritime heritage by developing and promoting them as tourist destinations.
The focus of the meeting was on strategies to transform lighthouses into tourist facilities. Earlier this year, in February, PM Modi dedicated 75 lighthouses with tourist facilities in 10 states and Union Territories. The meeting also saw attendance from the Minister of Tourism, Government of Kerala, Adv PA Mohammed Riyas, among other top officials.
Several new tourism facilities have been developed at Vizhinjam Lighthouse to enhance visitor experience. These include a children’s play area, an acupressure pathway, and a musical fountain. A lift facility has been installed to enable access for persons with disabilities and senior citizens to enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the lighthouse. Additionally, selfie points with animal statues, a cafeteria, and a gazebo have been added, making Vizhinjam Lighthouse a more attractive and accessible destination for all visitors. Battery-operated cars are also in use to ease transportation, especially for the elderly and specially-abled tourists. With these new facilities, the average monthly footfall of around 15,000 is expected to surge.
Other notable transformations include lighthouses in Chennai, Alleppey, Kannur, Vizhinjam, Thangasseri, Vypin in Kerala, and Chandrabhaga in Odisha. The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 seeks to develop lighthouses as tourist spots, fostering local economies and promoting cultural exchange.