Organised by the Directorate General of Lighthouses
and Lightships – an organisation under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping &
Waterways (MoPSW), Govt of India, the meet was aimed at conceptualising and strategising to showcase the unique
tourism potential of lighthouses as spots of historical, cultural and scenic
confluence.
“More than 500,000 tourists visited the Lighthouses
between April and June, 2024, validating the vision of transforming these
iconic maritime structures into vibrant tourists hotspots as envisioned by PM
Narendra Modi ji,” appraised the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The new Sound and Light show in Vizhinijam
as well as other facilities for tourists will be developed considering every
aspect of convenience, especially for the elderly and specially abled people.
Guided by the visionary approach of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, this meet underscored government’s commitment to promote
lighthouse tourism and revitalise these iconic structures as vibrant tourist
destinations, said the Union Minister SarbanandaSonowal.
The Stakeholders Meet aimed to showcase the unique
tourism potential of lighthouses, emphasising their historical, cultural, and
scenic value…Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister, SarbanandaSonowal,
said, “Lighthouses, besides acting as marine guidance tool, are also beacon of
rich historical accounts with potential to transform as centres of tourism..The
ministry remains committed to revitalise the lighthouses in order to make way
for economic development and celebration of cultural heritage of India’s
coastline. The stakeholders meet was an attempt to further action to transform
the Vizhinijam Lighthouse as a major tourist destination with unique Light
& Sound show.”
The stakeholders meeting focused on strategies to
transform the lighthouses into tourism facilities... The meet was also attended
by the Minister of Tourism, Govt of Kerala, Adv PA Mohammed Riyas among other
top officials.
To enhance the visitor experience, several tourism
facilities have been developed at Vizhinjam Lighthouse
Under the visionary
MIV 2030 initiative, the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships
(DGLL) is actively promoting lighthouse tourism across India. This initiative aims to revitalize existing
lighthouse facilities by repurposing them for alternative uses, including the
development of heritage and maritime museums. Notable transformations include lighthouses in Chennai- Alleppey,
Kannur; Vizhinjam, Thangasseri, Vypin in Kerala &Chandrabhaga in Odisha.
Furthermore, the Maritime AmritKaal Vision 2047 seeks to develop lighthouses as
tourist spots, fostering local economies & promoting cultural exchange.