Only 20 per cent of Uttarakhand’s tourist destinations have been affected by the calamity that struck Uttarakhand on June 16-17.
The majority of tourist destinations like Nainital, Ranikhet, Mussoorie, various national parks and birding areas are completely safe for stay, adventure and travel though there is a 95 per cent decrease in tourist traffic in these places. Additional secretary, Tourism, Sachin Kurve said this while addressing the media at CII Tourism Fest at the confederation’s northern region HQ in Chandigarh.
“We would also aggressively showcase our strengths through CII Tourism Fest and promote Uttarakhand as a tourist destination to domestic and overseas delegations of tour and travel operators, hospitality agencies and other stakeholders. The Fest will help us regain the tourist inflow back in the state,” he said while adding, “we are offering 25 per cent additional discount on advanced bookings for a period of one year and to student tours in addition to 15 per cent discount on transport in the State”.
Punjab tourism director Navjotpal Singh Randhawa stressed on the need for integrating the taxation regimes of various northern states like Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and J&K to make seamless travel across north a reality and in turn boost tourism in the northern region.
Executive director of le Passage to India, Randhir Brar said, “Considering the current dwindling value of the rupee, Indian tourism sector has the potential to grow tremendously because of cheaper costs. Hence we should make the most of it and present north as a major tourist destination”.
“Tourism sector contributes 5.6 per cent to India’s GDP presently and has the potential to double in the next 10 years, considering our great heritage, beautiful locations and cheaper medical facilities. We just need to brand it well. What is needed is effective and aggressive marketing and branding strategies to let the world know, what we have to offer. To fulfill this objective, CII Tourism Fest is being organised with participation of all key stakeholders like the various State Governments, tour and travel industry and the hospitality sector”, said CII northern region regional director Pikender Pal Singh.