Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday said the State Government has taken several initiatives to develop tourism in the State as the State is fast emerging as a leader in tourism industry. After inaugurating a hotel at Banasar in Solan district, he said there is a need to establish tourism infrastructural facilities in the rural areas of the State.
Singh said there is a need to focus on rural areas of the State which are full of virgin beauty. “For expansion of the tourism in the State, there is a need for exploring the unexplored areas as Himachal has been endowed with salubrious climate and mesmerising natural beauty which is yet to be exploited to its full potential,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the road infrastructure is being improved so that visitors could be facilitated to reach the far-flung areas. The tourism industry has been contributing considerably towards the economy of the State. “In order to encourage private entrepreneurs for setting up of tourism units, the State Government has provided incentives of 15 per cent Capital Investment Subsidy on tourism units subject to maximum `50 lakh and the incentive scheme would be effective till March 31, 2017,” he added.
The Chief Minister said the new hotel units, being set up in tribal areas, has been exempted from paying luxury tax for a period of 10 years. Similar incentives have been provided to the units being set up in backward panchayats.
Singh said adventure, religious, heritage, rural and eco-tourism are some of the areas which are to be given special attention in tourism development. He said for the promotion and development of tourism, the State has framed Sustainable Tourism Development Policy 2013 with a view to establish Himachal as a global brand in domestic and international market and to ensure sustainable tourism primarily to benefit host communities, support natural and cultural heritage preservation, create an enabling environment for investment in the tourism sector.