Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) has recorded a turnover exceeding Rs 100 crore for the first time, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Wednesday.
Presiding over a meeting of the HPTDC and Tourism department, he said that HPTDC has achieved the annual turnover from Rs. 78 crore during the previous BJP Government regime to Rs. 107 crore under the present State Government, despite facing the challenges posed by natural disasters in the State. This has been achieved due to effective management of the HPTDC hotels and restaurants, along with regular maintenance and optimal utilization of the properties.
Sukhu said that due to the profits earned by the HPTDC, the Corporation has been able to clear Rs. 41 crore benefits of the pensioners during the last two and a half years, whereas the previous BJP Government disbursed only Rs. 26 crore during its five years. He directed the officers to further improve service across the HPTDC properties and explore the possibilities of leasing out vacant properties of HPTDC on operational and maintenance basis to private players. He also lauded the purchase agreement between HPTDC and Food and Civil Supplies Corporation for the supply of materials to HPTDC hotels, including ration, groceries and other essential items.
He also reviewed various developmental projects of the tourism department and directed to expedite these projects to yield maximum revenue to the State and enhance infrastructure to the tourists visiting the State. Sukhu said that the State Government is investing Rs. 2415 crore to develop better infrastructure, wayside amenities and promote other adventure sports activities to attract tourists in the State. He instructed the Tourism department to provide food vans to the local people and commence Hop-on, Hop-off luxury bus rides on local tourism routes in the State.