Tourism Event
Amaravati Holds World Tourism Day 2026 Celebrations with Heritage Walk, Cleanliness Drive, and Kalachakra Museum Modernisation Plan
Amaravati marked World Tourism Day 2026 with a series of programmes highlighting the importance of heritage tourism, sustainable tourism, digital technology and artificial intelligence in transforming the tourism sector. The celebration featured a heritage walk, student competitions and an ₹8 lakh plan to modernise the Kalachakra Museum.
| Date of event | 27 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Kalachakra Museum modernisation budget | ₹8 lakh |
| Funding source for modernisation | CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds |
| Heritage walk start point | Amaravati Archaeological Museum at 9 am |
| Heritage walk route | From Amaravati Archaeological Museum, through Amaravati Stupa, to Buddha statue |
| Student competition venue | SC Gurukula School (Women), Amaravati |
| World Tourism Day 2026 theme | Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism |
| District Collector directing celebrations | Dr Kritika Shukla, Palnadu District Collector & District Magistrate |
What Happened
World Tourism Day 2026 was celebrated in Amaravati with a series of programmes highlighting the importance of heritage tourism, sustainable tourism, digital technology and artificial intelligence in transforming the tourism sector. The programmes were organised in the heritage city of Amaravati following the guidance of Special Chief Secretary Rawat and Tourism Department Chief Executive Officer Ravi Subhash, and on the directions of Palnadu District Collector and District Magistrate Dr Kritika Shukla.
Student Competitions
As part of the celebrations, quiz, essay-writing and debate competitions were organised for students at the SC Gurukula School (Women), Amaravati, to create awareness about important tourist destinations and the region's heritage. Awards were also presented to the winners of the various competitions.
Heritage Walk and Cleanliness Drive
A heritage walk was organised from the Amaravati Archaeological Museum at 9 am, passing through the Amaravati Stupa and culminating at the Buddha statue. Following the heritage walk, participants took part in a cleanliness drive around the Buddha statue, took the Swachh Andhra pledge and planted saplings.
Kalachakra Museum Modernisation Plan
Palnadu District Collector Dr Kritika Shukla highlighted the need to modernise the Kalachakra Museum in Amaravati, which holds significance from tourism, historical and Buddhist heritage perspectives. The museum is proposed to be modernised and developed with the support of CSR funds at an estimated cost of ₹8 lakh. Officials said APTDC engineering staff were taking steps to expedite the modernisation works. The tender process is expected to be completed soon, following which the works will be taken up. The modernisation of the Kalachakra Museum is expected to provide better facilities and information to visitors and further enhance Amaravati's appeal as a Buddhist and heritage tourism destination.
Digital Tourism and AI Focus
The programmes focused on the World Tourism Day 2026 theme, "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism," with officials creating awareness about the use of digital technology and AI in tourism, heritage tourism development and sustainable tourism.
About the Kalachakra Museum
The Kalachakra Museum and Interpretation Centre, formerly known as the Amaravati Archaeological Museum is located near the Krishna river where the Maha Chaitya (Great Stupa) once stood. Built by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, it was inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama in 2006. The excavated pieces on display are a testimony to the Buddhist art traditions that flourished over the centuries (starting from the 3rd century BCE) in Amaravati. Various episodes from the life of Buddha and the Jataka Tales are depicted on panels of marble and stone. These panels that relay narratives like Gautama Siddhartha's departure from his palace and the story of Nalagiri are showcased in the outdoor gallery in the courtyard of the museum.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Kalachakra Museum?
The Kalachakra Museum and Interpretation Centre, formerly known as the Amaravati Archaeological Museum, is located near the Krishna river where the Maha Chaitya (Great Stupa) once stood. It was built by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation and inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama in 2006.
How much will the museum modernisation cost?
The museum is proposed to be modernised and developed with the support of CSR funds at an estimated cost of ₹8 lakh.
What is the theme of World Tourism Day 2026?
World Tourism Day 2026 is observed on 27 September under the theme "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism", highlighting the role of technology in shaping the future of tourism.
Who directed the Amaravati celebrations?
The programmes were organised following the guidance of Special Chief Secretary Rawat and Tourism Department Chief Executive Officer Ravi Subhash, and on the directions of Palnadu District Collector and District Magistrate Dr Kritika Shukla.
What is the significance of the Amaravati Stupa?
The Amarāvati Stupa is a Buddhist monument, probably built in phases between the third century BCE and about 250 CE, at Amaravathi village, Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The site is under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India. The campus includes the stūpa itself and the Archaeological Museum.
What was the route of the heritage walk?
The heritage walk was organised from the Amaravati Archaeological Museum at 9 am, passing through the Amaravati Stupa and culminating at the Buddha statue.