Ayodhya Boat Tours: Bridging History and Safety

Ayodhya's boatmen will undergo training to narrate ancient local history and ensure passenger safety, transforming boat rides into cultural tours. The Uttar Pradesh initiative aims to link tourism with cultural heritage, boosting tourist footfall. The training covers storytelling, digital payments, and emergency skills.

In an innovative move to enhance the pilgrimage experience, Ayodhya is set to train its boatmen to become storytellers of the city's ancient history. This initiative aims to transform ordinary boat rides into immersive cultural tours while emphasizing passenger safety.

On Friday, Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh announced that the program caters to the growing influx of tourists in Ayodhya and the rising interest in boating excursions. The Tourism Department is organizing a three-day training session from January 15 to 17 for 55 boatmen and tourism stakeholders.

The training, held in collaboration with the Manyavar Kanshiram Tourism Management Institute, Lucknow and the State Disaster Response Force, will equip boatmen with skills in storytelling, digital payments, disaster management, and emergency first aid. With a focus on linking tourism with Ayodhya's cultural heritage and safety, the initiative empowers the boatmen community and promotes water tourism across the state.

(With inputs from agencies.)