Addressing an investor meet organised by Ministry of Tourism (MoT) and Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) at hotel Lalit in New Delhi recently, Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh said that the state government will request the Ministry of Railways to start heritage trains on Shimla-Kalka and Pathankot-Jogindernagar narrow gauge railway line for tourists visiting states.

he said ten more helipads will be set up in Sirmour, Kinnaur and Mandi districts which will increase the total strength of helipads in the state to 70, adding that, ‘heli-taxis’ services in the state will be started soon. 

Dhumal also mentioned that the state government has finalised three heli-taxi operators and a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between the state government and operators within a month. He said in the initial stage all district headquarters will be connected with this service.

He disclosed that the state government is planning to set up golf courses at industrial township of Baddi and tourist resort at Manali under Public-private-Partnership (PPP) model and offered land and other facilities for private sector to set up golf courses.

Inviting industrial houses to set up hotel training institutes in the state, he said important religious and tourist places situated at heights will be connected through ropeways and added that ropeways at Solang Nallah will be made operational till December next year.

He informed that letter of intent has been issued for setting up ropeways at Palchan and Bijli Mahadev in Kullu district while the work on ropeways at Baba Balaknath and Palampur is in progress. The detailed project report of ropeway between Anandpur Sahib and Naina Devi Temple has been prepared.

Dhumal said folk tales of all the important temples and religous places will be compiled and published to preserve it for future generations and also present it to visiting tourists. He said in the first phase Kullu district administration has been asked to compile and collect the folk tales and heritage background of all the 390 deities of the districts. 

He announced that the state tourism department will participate in all the tourism fairs and festivals in India and abroad to showcase its cultural heritage and promote the state at an international level to increase the flow of international tourists. He informed that a boat cruise at 20 kms long Chamera Lake in Chamba district to be started soon and added that six boats will ply in the initial phase in November next year. 

While making a presentation during the meet, Arun Sharma, Director Tourism and Civil Aviation, Himachal Pradesh said the state had registered 15 per cent tourism growth during worldwide recession period and added that tourism sector contribution to the GDP will be increased from present 8.5 to 10 per cent in next two years. The state has shortfall of 15,000 bed capacity in the peak season and has invited private sector for investment in hospitality sector to meet this demand.