Lucknow, 31 Aug (HS): In the digital world, the choices and voices of

'Gen-Z' are setting new trends in culture and travel. In view of this changing

era, the Uttar Pradesh government has taken the initiative to make the youth of

the state representatives of the culture, heritage and specialities of their

respective cities. Under the 'Visit My State Uttar Pradesh' campaign, Uttar

Pradesh Tourism has called upon the youth to bring to the world the untold

stories, local culture and special identity of their cities through a 60-second

reel in their own voice.

Be it the untold stories of a city's heritage, the taste of local cuisine,

centuries-old traditions, or little-known places that have remained hidden from

the eyes of tourists, the 'Visit My State Uttar Pradesh' campaign aims to

showcase the state through the eyes of those who know their city and its

identity most intimately. Local residents can come forward and share stories

about their city's special experiences and characteristics. The aim of this

initiative is to convey the true story of a place to a wider audience through

the voices and experiences of its people, rather than limiting its identity to

mere photographs and information.

Tourism will take wings through digital medium: Recognizing the changing

ways in which young people discover and explore tourist destinations, UP

Tourism has decided to expand this campaign through Reels. Young people are

increasingly prioritizing short videos, people's experiences, and the opinions

of content creators when planning travel. These experiences shared on digital

platforms are not only giving popular tourist destinations a unique identity

but also bringing lesser-known destinations to a wider audience. The

Visit My State Uttar Pradesh campaign aims to leverage this digital

interest and give a new dimension to the state's tourism.

Youth will become cultural ambassadors of their cities: Tourism and Culture

Minister Jaiveer Singh said on Monday that Uttar Pradesh's cultural identity

isn't limited to its famous tourist destinations. Every district, city, and

village in the state has its own unique story and identity. Its local food

traditions, handicrafts, festivals, customs, people, and their associated

stories bring Uttar Pradesh's rich cultural heritage to life. He further stated

that through the Visit My State campaign, an initiative is underway

to appoint young people, including Gen Z, as cultural ambassadors for their

cities. The youth will present the specialties of their cities to the world

through their own voices and words, giving visitors the opportunity to explore

Uttar Pradesh in a more interesting and new way.

Tell the story of your city in 60 seconds: The process for participating in

the campaign has been kept extremely simple for youth. Participants will be

required to present their city's unique identity and story in their own voice

through a reel of up to 60 seconds. Participants must appear in front of the

camera in person, with their face clearly visible and their voice clearly

audible. Significantly, instead of following a script, young people will

narrate their city's story in their own words and style. The reel will be shot

in an open space, with a prominent tourist destination or a landmark associated

with the city's identity in the background. Participants can create their reel

in either Hindi or English. It will be mandatory to say Visit My State,

Uttar Pradesh at the end of each video.

Participants can submit their entries through the online form: [Online

Application Form]( https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EyOqivGfwOjQTw0Yd7DzT-4-utbs6WF7UKhgloJeFRQ/viewform?edit_requested=true&utm_source=chatgpt.com

)

For more information, participants can also watch the video related to

'Visit My State Uttar Pradesh' available on the social media platforms of Uttar

Pradesh Tourism.

Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Amrit Abhijat, stated that the

Visit My State, Uttar Pradesh campaign inspires local residents to

tell the stories of their city and surrounding tourist destinations. He added

that a 60-second reel can effectively bring together the uniqueness of a place,

a person's own voice, and local experiences.

This will provide an opportunity

to see famous tourist destinations from a new perspective, while also giving

local and lesser-known destinations wider recognition. Amrit Abhijat stated

that these short stories, brought forth by young people, will collectively

showcase Uttar Pradesh's faith, rich heritage, natural beauty, cuisine, and

diverse handicrafts as a holistic travel experience for the nation and the

world.

For example, a resident of Lucknow can share their city's food, Chikankari,

old neighborhoods, or cultural sites. Similarly, young people from Braj,

Bundelkhand, Purvanchal, and the Terai region can showcase their cities'

traditions, local specialties, and tourism experiences. This initiative is an

effort to showcase the state's major tourist destinations to the world.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi