The Himachal Pradesh government is planning to diversify its tourism, to include rural areas of the state. As part of this effort, activities of various departments of Tourism and Rural Development would be merged to develop infrastructure in rural areas, Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh said.
"The state government policy is now focusing on diversification of tourism to areas which are new and have tourism potential. We are hopeful that our efforts will not only promote Rural Tourism but also diversify tourists to rural or new areas and de-congest the over saturated stations," said Dhumal on the sidelines of a road show organised in Kolkata last week. He said that a 20-year Perspective Tourism Master Plan of the state was being finalised.
Outlining the tourism policy of the state, he said that its potential was being harnessed in areas including Eco Tourism, Adventure, Rural and Religious Tourism. As per The Hindu Business Line report, he said that the state received 4.85 lakh foreign tourists this year. "On the whole the government is committed to Sustainable Tourism with special emphasis on diversification, accessibility and to create job opportunities among the local youth," he said. "The main thrust of the government is on employment generation by promoting new concepts of tourism in the state," Dhumal informed.Click here to see the original article>