Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government is promoting experience-based tourism to familiarize the tourists with the untouched areas of Himachal, local culture, traditions and lifestyle. Along with this, caravan tourism and weekend tourism are also being encouraged. He said that 'She Travel' policy is being prepared with the aim of making Himachal Pradesh a safe and welcoming tourist destination for women.
The government is also promoting women-based tourism entrepreneurship to provide employment and self-employment opportunities to women through homestays, local food businesses, handicrafts, local products and tourism-related startups.
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Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu welcomed and felicitated hoteliers, travel agents, tour operators and other representatives of the tourism industry from across the country at the 56th annual convention of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India held in Varanasi today.
Himachal's distinct identity among tourists
The Chief Minister urged all the people associated with the tourism industry to encourage tourists from India and abroad to visit Himachal and also include new and untouched tourist places of the state in their tour packages. He said that Himachal's calm and safe valleys, clean air, clear water, snow-clad mountains, lush green forests, rich cultural heritage and simple lifestyle of villages give it a distinct identity among the tourists from within the country and abroad.
Tourist places made accessible through connectivity
He said that today's tourist does not want to be limited to only traditional tourist destinations, but is also giving priority to peace, nature, local culture, wellness, authentic experiences and connection with the local people. Himachal has the potential to meet all these new tourism needs. He said that with the improvement in roads, electricity, water and digital connectivity, tourist places in remote areas of the state have also become more accessible.
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Heliport will be built in every district headquarters
The Chief Minister said that the state government is paying special attention to strengthening the tourism infrastructure. The process of expansion of Kangra Airport has been started and there are plans to develop an Aerocity around it. Kangra is being developed as the 'tourism capital' of the state. Further, it has been decided to develop heliports in or around each district headquarters. This will not only strengthen air connectivity for tourism, but will also strengthen disaster management, emergency medical services and connectivity with remote areas.
Promote homestay service
The Chief Minister said that the State Government is committed to promote sustainable and responsible tourism so as to ensure economic development as well as preservation of the cultural, social and environmental heritage of Himachal. To promote rural tourism, Home Stay Scheme has been started in the state and Home Stay Rules- 2025 have been implemented. This is providing self-employment opportunities to the local people and tourists are getting an opportunity to know closely the real lifestyle and culture of the villages of Himachal.
Immense possibilities for adventure tourism
CM Sukhu said that there is immense potential for adventure tourism in Himachal. Activities like trekking, skiing, paragliding, river rafting, mountaineering, camping, mountain cycling and water sports can be promoted here. Bir-Billing has given Himachal Pradesh a unique identity on the adventure tourism map of the world. He said that Himachal is also rich from the point of view of religious and spiritual tourism. The major Shaktipeeths, historical temples, Buddhist monasteries and Gurudwaras of the state attract a large number of devotees and tourists from India and abroad and contribute significantly to the tourism economy of the state.
3.11 crore tourists arrived in one year
The Chief Minister said that from January to December in the year 2025, 3.11 crore tourists reached Himachal, which included 1.66 crore religious tourists. In the year 2026, till the month of July, 1.06 crore tourists have visited the state. He called upon the hotel and hospitality industry, travel agents, tour operators and all stakeholders associated with the tourism sector to work together with the state government to further develop the tourism potential of Himachal.