Uttarakhand is expected to emerge as a safe tourist destination in the post-lockdown period. The State Government will plan and undertake a campaign to capitalise on this and revive tourism after the lockdown is lifted, said the chief secretary Utpal Kumar Singh on Monday.
The chief secretary said that due to various factors, it is expected that Uttarakhand will emerge as a safe tourist destination after the lockdown is lifted. He said, “We have already brainstormed with tourism department officials on how to revive tourism in the post-lockdown period. Even now, the State is already receiving queries about some of its tourism aspects like trekking and home stays.” The State will soon plan and launch a campaign to popularise Uttarakhand as a safe destination for tourists after the lockdown is lifted.
Earlier, Singh presided over a review meeting of the tourism department.
He directed the officials to start preparations for boost tourism related economic activities after the lockdown is lifted.
Referring to migrants returning to Uttarakhand, he said that many of them must be considering staying back in the state. Such people should be encouraged to remain in the state, he said, adding that special schemes will have to be prepared to facilitate self-employment for such people. Stating that Uttarakhand is in a comparatively better situation when it comes to Covid-19, he said that safe tourism can be encouraged in the state.
Citing the effect of lockdown on tourism, Singh said that home stay scheme can play an important role in boosting tourism. This scheme should be strengthened for safe tourism with better connectivity and provision of basic facilities.
He also spoke about encouraging medical and AYUSH tourism, stating that there is considerable scope for both medical and AYUSH tourism in Uttarakhand.
It is pertinent to mention here that tourism is a major source of income generation in Uttarakhand. The lockdown enforced to contain the spread of Covid-19 had caused considerable loss in the tourism sector. The Char Dham shrines were recently reopened for the summer but presently devotees are not allowed to visit these shrines in view of the regulations to be observed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.