Have you heard of Lighthouse Tourism?

What is Lighthouse Tourism?

• Lighthouse tourism refers to visiting and exploring lighthouses as tourist attractions. Lighthouses, historically used as navigational aids for ships at sea, have become popular destinations for tourists due to their scenic locations, architectural significance, and historical importance.
• People often visit lighthouses to learn about their history, enjoy panoramic views from their towers, and appreciate their cultural and maritime heritage.
• Many lighthouses worldwide have been preserved and restored specifically to attract tourists, offering guided tours, museums, and sometimes even accommodations for overnight stays.

India is set to make Lighthouse Tourism a must-travel goal

• India is set to transform its lighthouses into vibrant tourist destinations under the Maritime India Vision 2030 which identifies key issues that India must address to maintain its leadership in the world’s marine industry.With over 500,000 visitors already recorded between April and June 2024, the initiative aims to boost local economies and promote cultural heritage through lighthouse tourism.
• 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.

Benefits of Lighthouse Tourism

• Cultural Heritage:Events like India’s First Lighthouse Festival, “the Bharatiya Prakash Sthamb Utsav,” held at the historic Fort Aguada in Goa, celebrate India’s rich maritime heritage and raise awareness and appreciation of historical lighthouses that have been largely ignored. Lighthouses are educational hubs because they offer historical and cultural value.
• Economic Development:75 lighthouses have been recognized by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships for possible investment in tourism development, offering financial advantages to the neighboring communities.
• Environmental Awareness:Heritage lighthouses serve as a focal point for eco-friendly tourism strategies that both preserve and attract tourists to coastal areas.
• Impact on local communities: Local communities reap substantial economic benefits from lighthouse tourism. Through tourism-related activities, it brings in money, supports regional companies, and create employment.

Editor’s Note