Centre to extend full support to promote tourism in Himachal

Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday urged Union Minister of State for Tourism, KJ Alphons to sanction three schemes of Rs 300 crore of the State Government to promote religious tourism and eco-adventure tourism.

During the meeting in New Delhi, Thakur also invited the Union Minister to Himachal Pradesh.

The Union Minister assured the Chief Minister that the Centre will extend all possible support to the hill state for exploitation and expansion of its tourism potential.

He expressed happiness that Himachal Pradesh was emerging as favorite tourist destination due to its calm and pollution free environment.

The Union Minister directed the officers of his Ministry to invite State officials to Delhi for giving presentation on expansion and potential of tourism in Himachal Pradesh.

The Chief Minister apprized the Union Minister that nature had bestowed Himachal Pradesh with grandeur and beauty and the state due to its diverse geographical conditions, attracts tourists throughout the year.

Thakur said that Himachal Pradesh has immense potential for adventure tourism and adventure sports like mountaineering, biking, river rafting and para-gliding adding that state was considered as paradise for these adventure sports.

He said that the government is working prominently on exploitation of hidden employment potential in tourism sector.

The Chief Minister said that Himachal is also a major centre of religious tourism and religious tourism circuits will be developed here to provide devotees more facilities. He also urged the Centre to provide funds generously for widespread publicity of tourism sites in the state.