Make a night of it! Heritage walks to promote tourism

New Delhi: Delhi govt has planned a ‘Haunted Heritage Walk' at Feroz Shah Kotla at night, along with several other curated evening walks, as part of a renewed push to boost night tourism in the capital.These walks include ‘Dekho Apna CP' covering Connaught Place, ‘Walk of Shahjahanabad' in Old Delhi and evening tours at Qutub Minar complex. They have been designed for corporate groups, PSUs, institutions, RWAs, students and domestic and international tourists, Delhi tourism department officials said.
The walks will be available on demand. "If over 25 people are interested in a particular walk, the department will organise it for them. The time will be customised according to their convenience, but we will ensure that all the walks are wrapped up by 8.30 pm," one of the officials said.One needs to pay Rs 500 to participate in a walk. Each member of a group will be provided with a kit that includes a bag, cap, wristband and water bottle. The walks will be led by verified storytellers and trained ‘walk conductors' who are well-versed in the history of the sites and adept at lucidly presenting them. On certain occasions, historians will also lead the walks, offering deeper insights into the capital's rich heritage.People may reach out to the tourism department at 011-23365358 and 011-23363607 for support regarding customised group bookings and themed trails. Organisations and individuals can also write to tourism@delhitourism.gov.in for proposals, slot availability and tailored experiences. "We encourage people to make advance bookings to ensure seamless coordination and curated, storytelling-led heritage experiences across the capital," said the official.Among the flagship walks is the ‘Haunted Heritage Walk', which uses folklore as well as documented history to provide a unique experience to enthusiasts. Other themed trails include ‘Roshan-e-Dilli' at Qutub complex, ‘Ek Shaam Shaheedon Ke Naam' at National War Memorial, food walks in Old Delhi and heritage explorations around Hauz Khas."The aim is not only to enhance the visitor experience but also to stimulate local economic activity in and around heritage sites by encouraging longer visits. By tailoring these experiences for corporates and institutions, Delhi Tourism is also looking to tap into the growing demand for curated walks at an hour convenient for the enthusiasts. When people engage meaningfully with historic spaces, they also develop a sense of ownership and responsibility towards their preservation," the official said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !