Tag: Himachal Pradesh Tourism

Himachal Pradesh’s hotel industry has requested the government to relax stringent conditions imposed amid the pandemic. In a representation to the government, the Tourism Industry Stakeholders’ Association said tourists were facing difficulties due to a lack of clarity on the part of the implementing authorities. The hoteliers met Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj and the Chief Secretary recently and highlighted the issues faced by them. “Tourists are unwilling to visit Himachal. They have to procure a negative Covid test report for every member of the family. Most of them do not want to prolong the ... Read more

The Union Tourism Ministry organised a webinar under its “Dekho Apna Desh” series on the topic ‘Himachal: Around the next bend’ focusing on the beautiful villages, mountains, pristine rivers, culture and heritage of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh is a northern Indian state in the Himalayas. It’s home to scenic mountain towns  such as Dalhousie. Host to the Dalai Lama, Himachal Pradesh has a strong Tibetan presence. This is reflected in its Buddhist temples and monasteries, as well as its vibrant Tibetan New Year celebrations. The region is also well known for its trekking, climbing and skiing areas. Swathed by cedar, ... Read more

Around 700 tourists have visited Himachal Pradesh since the state government allowed entry of tourists almost a week ago. The healthy tourist inflow has happened despite the majority of hotel owners and their associations in the state not wanting tourists from other states to enter Himachal. Tourism and civil aviation secretary Devesh Kumar said that the standard operating procedure issued by the department was prepared after examining SOPs of other states who have opened their borders for tourism. Tourism director Yunus said that officials are verifying the documents and registration of tourists at the entry points to the state and they are ... Read more

Himachal Pradesh has made it mandatory for tourists to show COVID-19 negative test reports from an ICMR recognised lab. Those coming in without the test reports will be denied entry. The state has decided to open the state for tourists and the tourism department will issue standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the functioning of the industry today. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that on the basis of the guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs, there will not be any restrictions on movements of people. “Registrations would be mandatory and we would keep a record if someone is tested ... Read more

The Himachal Pradesh government is considering reopening the tourism industry within a week, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Thursday. He was interacting with media persons on the side-lines of a review meeting of various developmental projects being undertaken in Mandi district. Thakur said that there was a demand to open the tourism industry in the state but the government was not in a hurry as the Covid-19 cases were rapidly increasing. “However, I have asked the tourism department to formulate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for tourist activities. Maybe within a week, the tourism activities will be resumed,” he ... Read more

In wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Himachal hoteliers have urged the state government to not start tourist activities in the state till October despite the state government issuing standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding the same. In a letter to chief minister Jai Ram Thakur and the tourism secretary, Himachal’s hoteliers have said that tourist activities should not be permitted for the next few months as Covid-19 cases are increasing at an alarming rate in India and the world at large. All Himachal Association of Hospitality and Tourism, spokesperson, Ashwani Bamba said, “The Covid-19 pandemic has hit the tourism and hospitality ... Read more

The Oberoi Group, in association with Tourism Industry Stake Holders Association (TISHA) and Shimla Hotel Restaurant Association (SHRA), conducted an awareness programme on COVID preparedness on Thursday. Aligned with the Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Government of Himachal Pradesh, the programme was conducted with the vision to educate and build confidence amongst the hoteliers and restaurateurs in the state. The purpose of this programme was to help the hoteliers of Himachal Pradesh learn the finest practices and deliberate strategies for implementing high standards of safety measures. The training programme focussed on preparing the hotels to be COVID ready in ... Read more

The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to reopen businesses, including restaurants and hotels, as part of ‘Unlock 1.0’, but the state’s hotel and tourism sector stakeholders are not looking at commencing operations immediately. The industry has decided to keep out of business until at least September, given that the inter-state borders, the principal gateway to Himachal, are still closed for tourists and outsiders. It is also concerned about operational safety. Kullu-Manali, the state’s tourism hotspot, has been hit badly due to the coronavirus crisis. The impact has been so widespread that more than 100,000 people have been rendered jobless in ... Read more

The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to waive off electricity charges for a period of six months, in a major relief to the travel and hospitality sector in the state. The move is expected to provide a relief of around Rs 15 crore. The excise and taxation license fee would also be waived off, the government said. A decision to this effect was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Jairam Thakur. A presentation was made in the Cabinet regarding steps taken for economic revival and economic reforms to be initiated by the state government after lockdown. Several ... Read more

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, laid the foundation stones for seven National Highway projects worth over Rs 4,419 crore in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra on Sunday. From the inaugural function Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and the Minister of the province, all MPs and MLAs were present on the occasion. The projects include four-laning of 37.03 km long Punjab-Himachal Pradesh Border to Sihuni section of NH-154 at a cost of Rs 1572.9 crore, construction of 104.6 km long Paonta Sahib –Guma-Feduzpul section of NH-707 at a cost of Rs 1356 crore, construction ... Read more

Dharmendra Singh Gangwar, Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor, Ministry of Culture, Government of India has inaugurated the third exhibition of ethnic ornaments of Himachal Pradesh on 11th December 2018 at National Museum, New Delhi. The event is titled ‘Uncrowned Glory’ – An exhibition of Ethnic Ornaments of Himachal Pradesh. “This Exhibition brings out the jewellery tradition which not only conveys the mosaic of socio-cultural heritage and belief patterns of the indigenous people but signifies the artistic inclination of the communities involved in such craftsmanship,” said Gangwar. Photo for representation purpose only The exhibition aims to showcase an exquisite collection of ... Read more

Indian Railways will run a glass-enclosed ‘vistadome’ coach on the Kalka-Shimla route in the next ten days. It was announced by Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways and Coal, Government of India, on his twitter page. “A view of the glass-enclosed Vistadome coach in Kalka, which is scheduled to run on the Kalka-Shimla route in the next 10 days. For the first time, tourists in Shimla will experience snow & rainfall in these glass-enclosed coaches and truly relish Himachal’s scenic landscape” tweeted the minister. Interior of the coach Passengers can have a 360 degree view of the beautiful Himalayan landscape around ... Read more

The Himachal Pradesh government has got approval from the Central government for projects worth Rs 1,800 crore for tourism development, informed the state Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. The minister added that efforts would be made to develop lesser-known areas from the tourism point of view. “The Gada Gushaini area would be developed from eco-tourism point of view,” he said. The state government has also made a provision of Rs 50 crore for the tourism sector. MP Ram Swaroop Sharma said that the Union government has also approved development projects worth Rs 4,500 crore for the state. He also announced Rs 2 ... Read more

To boost the tourism sector, Himachal government is planning to encourage ‘Heli-Taxi’ services at major tourist destinations, a senior official said today. Presiding over a meeting of the officials of aviation companies including Pawan Hans Limited, Skyone Airways, Ind Jet and hospitality players, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Manisha Nanda said at present the state has three functional airports at Gaggal, Shimla and Bhuntar. “Work was in progress to facilitate the tourists and common people at Rampur and Jhakri in Shimla, Baddi in district Solan, Pandoh in Mandi and Manali in Kullu under Uddan-II scheme,” she said. Manisha ... Read more

The government of Himachal Pradesh is planning to promote tourism at Haripurdhar in Sirmaur district. The state government will request the Central Government to include it under the Swadesh Darshan Programme. The Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur elaborated the governments plans at the closing ceremony of the three-day Mata Bhangayani Mela at Haripurdhar. Thakur said the area had immense tourism potential and basic facilities would be provided to devotees at the Mata Bhangayani temple complex. “With over 90 per cent of the state’s population residing in the rural areas, the government is keen to develop these,” he added. He said ... Read more