Himachal Pradesh has being adjudged the best mountain destination, the best state for adventure
destination and for its best scenic roads in India. The state ranked number one in the tourism sector.
Industries Minister, Harshwardhan Chauhan received the award from
Minister of State for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram
Meghwal in India Today Tourism Survey and Awards Ceremony held at New
Delhi on Friday.
In a survey conducted by an independent agency and as per the
standards set by the India Today Group editorial board, Kullu was
placed in the ‘Best Adventure Destination’ category for River Rafting,
Shimla-Kinnaur highway in the ‘Most Scenic Roads’ category, and Shimla
and Manali were selected as the ‘Best Mountain Destinations’ in the
country.
Speaking on the occasion the Industries minister said that the state
government has been laying special emphasis for making Himachal the
best tourist destination in India by developing unexplored tourist
places in phased manner under the guidance and leadership of Chief
Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Himachal has rich cultural heritage and age-old traditions and is
known for its warm hospitality besides its unique handicrafts and
handlooms, he said, adding that the state government is making efforts
to introduce the visitors from all over the world to the rich heritage
of Himachal Pradesh.
“The state government has decided to make Kangra district as a
‘Tourism Capital’ of Himachal besides promoting the Art, Culture, and
History. This decision would help in the sustainable development of
the tourism sector,” he said.
To motivate the tourists, to stay for maximum period in Himachal,
especially in Shimla, Kullu-Manali, Dalhousie and other part of the
state, the government will develop the existing infrastructure besides
will regulate the movement of the traffic in a planned manner to ease
congestion, he added.
“Tourism sector is in the ambit of the flagship schemes of the
government. Adventure, religious, rural, health, religious and weekend
tourism would be promoted in big way,” he said.
Tourists are being encouraged to spend more time in the less travelled
destinations through home stay series, he added.
“Our Government is committed to strengthen the tourism infrastructure
and mulling to construct helipads near each district headquarters
besides developing existing airports to increase the tourist footfall
in far off and less travelled places”, said Chauhan.
Food and cultural festivals are also being organized to promote the
traditional cuisine and handicrafts of the state, he said, adding that
the government is also promoting water sports in the reservoirs of the
state.
