Shimla : Himachal Pradesh government has announced the launch of Shimla Heritage Tourism Scheme 'Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai and Shimla Ki Kahani Itihas ki Jubani' ( Every household has a story to tell and Shimla in the pages of history).
Launching the scheme , Prem Kumar Dhumal , Chief Minister said that the State had prepared a long and perspective Tourism Master Plan for 20 years to give boost to tourism promotion activities and explore virgin destinations to the outside world and launch of two heritage schemes for Shimla town was a step towards implementation of the Plan.
"Shimla was historically an important town, which had witnessed many historic meetings, conferences, conventions and agreements during pre-independence era. The Tourism Department would be inviting historically important information from the owners of the old houses in Shimla town to make the same a part of tourism literature for attracting tourists to visit Himachal Pradesh. The supplied information would be compiled, infrastructural development like improvement of accessibility, creation of way side amenities, signages, installation of plaques outside such houses with brief description would be carried out," Prem Kumar Dhumal said.
Prem Kumar Dhumal said that Rs. 26 crore would be spent on tourism infrastructure building under Circuits and Destinations Schemes, which include off beat destinations like Shimla-Narkanda Circuit , Sunder Nagar–Rewalsar and Jubbal-Kotkhai. He said that additionally a project report for Kullu-Manali Mega Circuit is also being prepared which would be implemented at a cost of Rs. 50 crore with the financial assistance from the Union Ministry of Tourism.
Mr Dhumal said that efforts were afoot to introduce more ATR-42 seater flights to Himachal Pradesh from Delhi and other metropolitan cities; regional flights to Himachal; provision of night landing facilities at all three existing airports; besides exploring possibilities of constructing one big international airport in the State. He said that additionally heli-taxi services were being envisioned for high-end tourists.
The chief minister said that religious tourism was one of the major activity in the State since large number of devotees throng the prominent shrines, where basic amenities had been created to facilitate the visitors. He said that Home Stay Scheme was already gaining popularity in the State in association with the private house owners and 152 units had so far been registered. He said that it was a step directed towards promoting rural areas for tourism activities and acquaints tourists with the life-style and food habits of the local people. He said that people of Himachal Pradesh were hospitable by nature and home stay scheme would further give boost to natural tourism. He said that the Master Plan would be focussed on quality tourism rather than on quantity tourism besides enhancing and protecting natural and socio cultural environment of Himachal Pradesh.
