To mark the occasion, state Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh inaugurated the upgraded Regional Tourism Office in Agra and flagged off student groups for eco, heritage and spiritual tours.
File Photo: IANS
Uttar Pradesh celebrated World Tourism Day 2025 with programs across the state, uniting people from cities and villages under the global theme ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.’
To mark the occasion, state Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh inaugurated the upgraded Regional Tourism Office in Agra and flagged off student groups for eco, heritage and spiritual tours.
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Speaking on the occasion in Agra, Jaiveer Singh said, “Tourism is at the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s growth story. On World Tourism Day, as we embrace the theme of sustainable transformation, our vision is clear – to make tourism inclusive, community-driven and environmentally responsible. Every new initiative brings us closer to realising the dream of Viksit Bharat @2047, with Uttar Pradesh as a leading global destination.”
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The Agra celebrations carried a festive atmosphere that brought together stakeholders, students, and cultural representatives. The inauguration of the Regional Tourism Office was welcomed as a step that would boost tourism services for visitors and create new opportunities for local communities.
“The flagging off of student tours symbolised the role of youth as ambassadors of Uttar Pradesh’s cultural, ecological and spiritual diversity. Tourism stakeholders including hoteliers, tour operators and industry representatives joined a lively interaction session, sharing ideas on sustainable practices and collaborative growth. The event closed with a lunch that brought together officials, community leaders and participants, highlighting tourism as a bridge that connects people.
In Lucknow, the Manyavar Kanshiram Institute of Tourism Management (MKITM) hosted a special program in the presence of Principal Secretary Tourism & Culture Amrit Abhijat and Special Secretary Tourism Eesha Priya. Chief Minister Fellowship achievers Jyoti Tiwari (Barabanki) and Aditya Yadav (Gorakhpur) were honoured for their outstanding work.
Addressing the gathering, Principal Secretary Amrit Abhijat said tourism is now a powerful means of cultural exchange, environmental protection and local livelihoods, and emphasised the department’s commitment to sustainable and participatory tourism.
The spirit of World Tourism Day extended across rural Uttar Pradesh with activities that turned villages into vibrant hubs of celebration. In Gonda’s Wazirganj and Raebareli’s Gaura Khaspari, schoolchildren led prabhat pheris, plantations and art contests. Sitapur highlighted local crafts through dedicated stalls, while Hardoi’s Ruiya Garhi saw heritage walks connecting residents with their history.
In Lakhimpur Kheri’s Tharu auditorium, tribal folk performances and craft exhibitions celebrated the community’s culture. In Unnao’s Sumerpur, homestay owners trained under the Tourism Policy 2022 were felicitated, reflecting the growing role of homestays in rural livelihoods.
Similar events in Agra, Jhansi and Jalaun included cultural programs, rallies and community interactions, ensuring that villagers and artisans were equal participants in tourism’s progress.
The UP Eco-Tourism Development Board marked the occasion with special one-day educational tour packages from Lucknow, enabling students to experience eco and wildlife destinations.
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