Up to launch qr code-based audio tours at 100 tourist hotspots - the statesman

In a significant move to enhance the tourist experience and promote the state’s cultural heritage, the Uttar Pradesh government is set to launch an ambitious digital tourism initiative

across the state. The state’s Tourism Department is developing QR code-based audio tour portals and content at 100 major tourist destinations. Advertisement Officials said on Saturday that

the initiative aims to provide domestic and international tourists with a unique, informative, and immersive journey through Uttar Pradesh’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty.

Advertisement The core feature of this project is the introduction of QR code-enabled audio tours—short storytelling sessions of 5 to 7 minutes—explaining the historical and cultural

significance of each location. These audio narratives will be available in 10 regional languages—Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, English, Kannada, Odia, and Malayalam—and 5

international languages—French, Spanish, German, Japanese, and Mandarin—ensuring wide accessibility. To ensure a premium experience, all audio stories will be voiced by professional

artists, accompanied by background music and ambient soundscapes that bring each site’s history to life. The platform will also include accessibility features such as multilingual subtitles

and high-contrast text for the hearing and visually impaired. The initiative will cover 100 iconic tourist sites across the state. These include Triveni Sangam and Anand Bhawan in Prayagraj,

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi and Kanak Bhawan in Ayodhya, and Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Ganga Aarti** in Varanasi. The other spots are the Taj Mahal in Agra Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi and Banke

Bihari Temple in Mathura-Vrindavan, and the Bara Imambara in Lucknow. At these locations, weather-resistant QR codes etched on stainless steel will be installed. Tourists can scan the codes

to instantly access the audio tour on their smartphones. The QR codes will be integrated with the Uttar Pradesh Tourism website and mobile applications (Android and iOS), with an offline

access option for areas with poor connectivity. To maintain authenticity and quality, the scripts are being vetted by a panel of historians, archaeologists, and cultural experts from reputed

institutions such as Banaras Hindu University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and the Archaeological Survey of India. This will ensure that the information is not only accurate and relevant

but also engaging for listeners. The initiative is a major step toward modernizing tourism in Uttar Pradesh, leveraging digital tools to make heritage more accessible, inclusive, and

engaging for all. Advertisement