Shimla | August 24, 2026 | INFRAINTEL Bureau
(Travel And Tour World)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urged hotel operators, travel agents and tour operators to include the state’s lesser-known destinations in domestic and international tourism packages.
He made the appeal while interacting with tourism-industry representatives at the 56th Annual Convention of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India in Varanasi.
Sukhu said the state’s peaceful valleys, clean air, water resources, snow-covered mountains, forests, cultural heritage and village life offered a distinctive combination for travellers seeking nature, wellness and authentic local experiences.
The state government is promoting experiential, caravan and weekend tourism to spread visitor activity beyond established destinations. It is also preparing a ‘She Travel’ policy aimed at making Himachal Pradesh safer and more welcoming for women travellers.
The proposed approach includes support for women-led homestays, local-food enterprises, handicrafts, local products and tourism start-ups as sources of livelihood and self-employment.
The government is strengthening tourism infrastructure through the proposed expansion of Kangra Airport, development of an Aerocity in its vicinity and positioning of Kangra as the state’s tourism capital.
It also plans heliports at or near every district headquarters. Apart from tourism, these facilities could support disaster response, emergency medical services and access to remote areas.
The strategy could distribute tourism income more widely and reduce pressure on established hill stations. Its success will depend on safe transport links, environmental carrying-capacity controls, reliable utilities, waste management and benefits reaching local communities rather than only large operators.