Shimla: The Himachal Government is contemplating formulating a new tourism policy that highlights the undiscovered gems of the state, with the goal of making visitors’ experiences even better. The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, presided over a meeting on Thursday to assess the progress of ongoing tourism projects and stressed the need to improve the overall visitor experience by promoting lesser-known destinations.
Sukhu said the state government is deliberating the prospect of drafting a new tourism policy that would ignite the adventurous spirit in all visitors, leading them to discover the state’s unexplored territories and hidden treasures.
The Chief Minister said the state government is striving to attract more tourists to Himachal in the next five years, aiming to raise the current number from three crore to five crore. With its stunning natural beauty, Himachal has a lot to offer, and there is a need to make the most of it, he added.
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Sukhu said Himachal had already welcomed around 7.2 million tourists by May 2023. He asked the Tourism Department to devise a foolproof mechanism for collecting precise data on tourist footfall and ensure that the infrastructure is equipped with all essential necessities to give visitors a seamless experience.
The Chief Minister mentioned that tourism is a pivotal component in the state’s economic growth and development, and the present state government has always given priority to the development of tourism-related projects.
Sukhu also underlined the significance of effective marketing strategies and streamlining the workforce within the tourism department to provide better facilities for tourists.
The Chief Minister reviewed several initiatives focused on promoting Kangra district as a prime tourist destination and instructed the department to prepare a concept paper for possible future implementation. The initiatives discussed included the construction of a roller skating rink in Sakoh, an exquisite golf course in Paragpur, a high-end resort in Menjha, a tourism village in Narghota, and the proposed Aero City in Kangra.
He additionally stated that the government intends to establish a themed satellite village in Naura Khad, located in the Nagrota Bagwaan constituency of Kangra district.
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The Chief Minister said the state government was actively working to enhance air connectivity in the state to attract more tourists. As part of their ongoing efforts, the government is carrying out several development initiatives, including expanding the existing Kangra airport, constructing a greenfield airport in Nagchala, Mandi district, and also setting up many new heliports throughout the state.
The first phase of construction is underway, with nine heliports being built in different parts of the state. The other seven heliports will be built in the second phase.
