Himahcal Pardesh registers 17 percent growth in tourist traffic

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh has attracted 1,14,37, 155 tourists to the State during the year 2009, out of these 1,10,36,572 are home tourists and 4,00,583 foreigners, the increase is more than 17% as compared to previous year i.e. 2008, according to Dr. Arun Sharma, Director, Tourism.



In the year 2008, 93,72,697 Indian and 3,76,736 foreign tourists visited the State. The percentage increase in the foreign tourists is also above 6% and this is despite the fact that the country as such has witnessed a negative growth in the tourist arrival for the year 2009 on account of global recession and also the outbreak of swine flu appears to be the major culprits.

Dr. Arun Sharma said that the endeavours of the State Government is to take the tourists to the lesser known destinations in all the districts of the State. He said that the development and diversification of the tourism product was being ensured by triggering of infrastructure development and investment by the leading international players in the State. The State was poised to witness boom in the hitherto forth unexploded sectors of rural tourism encashing on the rural development initiatives of the State Government in the shape of polyhouses, reverting back to the organic manure, drip irrigation and optimum utilization of available raw material, he added.

He said that Home Stay Scheme was being marketed more aggressively and the State expects more youngsters' visiting the hinter land of the State for the exotic and mundane experiences. During this decade, tourism is likely to witness the optimum growth matching the potential which the State has. Apart from the rural tourists, the State is poised to take a leap forward in education, tourism, medical tourism, heritage and geo-heritage tourism. The seasonably and the commonly associated features of a hill destination was also witnessing a major upheaval. Promotion of adventure sports and measures taken to counter the ill-effects of global warming and environmental degradations will soon make the classification totally redundant.

He said that some of the new initiatives started in the capital have evoked enthusiastic and emotional response from the citizens of Shimla. This effort to involve all the Stakeholders in the rich cultural historical and built up heritage of the State will see a new initiative. Tourism Department was coming up with a quiz based upon facts including history associated with the State capital soon. The winners would be awarded by way of surprises. Har Ghar Kuchh Kahta, was a project for each habitant of the city and any-one willing to be associated as citizen editor of the coffee table book, may get in touch with the department.