Shimla: Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister said that State Government would give boost to the Home Stay and Rural Tourism and consider exemption over procedural registration of such units, change of land use fee, luxury tax, sales tax and commercial charges on electricity, redistricted to five bed rooms and water so that rural participation was ensured in tourism, a house hold affair, in the State. He was presiding over the 2nd Meeting of the Tourism Development Board. He said that State Government would be adopt liberal attitude towards the rural tourism promotion and encourage people to create basic infrastructure to cater to the basic requirements of the tourists visiting rural and remote areas for which additional incentives would be provided.Singh said that the Executive Committee of the Board would be appointing consultants to undertake survey and offer the projects which included Ski Resort-cum-Rope-way at Chanshal, Ski Resort-cum-Rope-way at Bashal, Ropeway from Dharamshala to Triund, Rope-way to Bijli Mahadev, Ropeway from Manali to Rohtang, Golf-Course and Resort at Baddi, Bara gaon, near Manali, Health Resort at Shatinari etc. with a view to give boost to tourism activities in these areas. He said that other possible areas would be explored to create quality tourism infrastructure.
Singh said that the tribal tourism needed to be given added preference which was favourite destination for the foreigners. He said that some local entrepreneurs had attempted to create basic infrastructure to cater to the requirements of the foreigners and domestic tourist which needed to be encouraged and incentives in the shape of exemption in taxes etc. were provided to such entrepreneurs which would benefit the local people with employment and self-employment etc. besides strengthening the tribal economy.
Chief Minister said that all tourism projects needed to be brought to the State Level Single Window Clearance and Monitoring Authority for final clearance after the same were issued certificate by the Commissioner Tourism.
Shri Virbhadra Singh said that Himachal Pradesh was the first and continues to be the first and only State to offer Heli-skiing in the country, attracting foreigners.
Avay Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary said that Buddhist Circuit could help in promoting the tourism activities in the tribal areas. He said that plan had been drawn to construct over a dozen Five Star Hotels all over the State under vision-2020, 50 heritage villages and improving connectivity.
