Gujarat to Launch India's First Submarine Tourism

Gujarat: The Gujarat Government has decided to introduce submarine tourism, which allows visitors to explore the submerged city of Dwarka. A memorandum of understanding has been signed with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders to launch India's first-ever underwater tourism facility, proposed to become operational by Diwali in October 2024.

This developing project will offer an immersive experience, allowing tourists to delve into the culture of Dwarka, a city steeped in legend and spiritual significance. According to myth, Dwarka was submerged in the Arabian Sea upon Lord Krishna's departure from the world, marking the beginning of the Kali Yuga.

This initiative aims for the growth of India's spiritual tourism landscape by providing a new perspective on Dwarka's submerged ruins.

Over the past few years, India's tourism sector has been growing and has seen a jump in the number of tourists from other countries. The number of domestic tourists has also increased. The number of foreign tourists who arrived in India this year during January-June stood at 43.80 lakh, which is 106 per cent higher than the figure (21.24 lakh) for the corresponding period in 2022.

The figure for domestic tourism stood at 677 million in 2021 and grew to 1,731 million in 2022 as per the data of the Tourism Ministry.

India's tourism industry has been gaining traction, with the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index ranking the country 54th with a score of 4.1. The G-20 summit last year highlighted India's tourism potential, with leaders from various nations participating and showcasing the country as a premier destination.

Religious tourism, in particular, has seen significant growth, with a surge in visitors to Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj. In one year alone, these cities welcomed an impressive 14 crore tourists. Varanasi, for instance, saw a remarkable 82 million visitors in 2022, a four-fold increase from 2019. This accounted for 26% of all arrivals in 2022, up from less than 4% in 2019.

Varanasi has surpassed Agra, home to the iconic Taj Mahal, as the most visited city in Uttar Pradesh, with its tourist footfall reaching unprecedented levels.

PM Modi's Underwater Visit

PM Narendra Modi recently dove underwater to pray in Dwarka, considered Lord Krishna's 'land of action'. He described the experience as "divine" and "connected to an ancient era of spiritual grandeur" on Twitter after visiting the Dwarkadhish Temple in Gujarat."

Other Countries Offering Submarine Tourism

Submarine tourism is available in various destinations worldwide. India is set to join the list with submarine tours in Dwarka.

One can experience the underwater world in Maldives, where crystal-clear waters reveal vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. In Hawaii, tourists explore coral reefs, shipwrecks.

Other destinations include Australia, where submarine tours near the Great Barrier Reef provide a stunning view of one of the world's most renowned underwater ecosystems. Singapore offers a unique perspective of the city's underwater landscape, while South Africa showcases its rich marine biodiversity along its extensive coastlines.

In Asia, Japan's Okinawa region presents an opportunity to dive into spectacular coral reefs and marine habitats, revealing the rich underwater world that surrounds this picturesque locale. Meanwhile, Dubai blends high-tech innovation with underwater exploration, featuring modern submarine adventures in its artificial lagoons and coastal areas.