Himachal to woo private investors in tourism sector

Himachal Pradesh governmentwould take steps to woo private investment in tourism industry and explore new tourist destinations, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said.
"The state government has already initiated measures to boost tourism industry by inviting private sector investments in the areas of rope-ways, resorts, amusement parks, film cities, mega tourist destinations, civil aviation sector, adventure activities like para-gliding, heli-skiing, water sports etc," he said while inaugurating the three-day 'Himachal travel Mart'.
Delegates from Germany, the USA, the UK, France, Bulgaria, South Africa, Ukarine, Australia, and Russia are participating in the event.
Besidesleading tour operators and online travel guides, such as EU-Asien, DE Media from Germany, Liberty Travels from USA, Adonis from Russia, delegates from over 15 Indian markets like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Punjab and West Bengalare participating.

The Chief Minister said that apart from construction of new rope-ways, expansion of Kangra airport had been proposed and land acquisition cost as per initial survey has been determined.
The state government is working with the Centre and has handed over land to the Civil Aviation department where the Airport Authority of India is installing a Doppler VORdevice which would help in navigation and improving visibility at Gaggal Airport, he said.

Singh said the Jubbar-Hatti airstrip near Shimla had also been improved and widened and the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to start air services to Shimla at the earliest.

"We hope that soon flights would be started for Shimla," he said.
"Our effortsare focused at realising the potential of tourism in the state, but we would certainly not do it at the cost environment and ecology and do it in an environment-friendly manner," he said.
The Chief Minister said thrust was on developing religious, adventure, health, and heritage tourism and to develop tourism in rural areas and exemption of luxury tax in Home Stay has been extended for five years up to 2018.
He said there has been a steady increase in tourist arrivals to 1.75 crore in 2015 and expressed hopes the Travel Mart would give it a further boost.