Global hotel brands should be invited to HP, says CM

Stressing on the need for harnessing the tourism potential of Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said that setting up hotels by global brands could be a "game changer" for tourism sector in the state.
Presiding over sixth meeting of HP Tourism Development Board here, Singh said that tourism industry contributes 9.75 per cent to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and setting up hotels by international brands could be a "game changer" for the sector.
The chief minister said that the state government can facilitate big hoteliers by either providing them land on lease or by identifying suitable land for them to construct hotels.

Singh also expressed happiness over UNESCO heritage status for Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu district and said it would certainly go a long way in promoting tourism in the state.
"Seminars in association with FICCI, ASSOCHAM or CII should be held in the near future as these hoteliers were also members of such associations and could be urged to invest in the state in interest of tourism industry," Singh said.
"Such steps would give fillip to the tourism industry and Himachal would emerge as leading global tourism destination by 2029," the Chief Minister said.

He stressed on renovating and re-constructing the ancient temples of the state and also advised the department of Language, Art and Culture to re-construct such temples which had been gutted in fire without changing the original architectural designs.

"All temples of pre-historic period require refurbishment and the concerned department should take necessary steps in this direction," he said.
Referring to Jakhu ropeway project in Shimla, he asked the officials to complete the required formalities and finish the project without delay.
Singh also proposed another Ropeway from Sarahan to Bashal Manda and said that it was a picturesque spot from where people can trek over to Bhaba Valley of Kinnaur.
He also asked to chalk out a plan for mono-rail project in Dharamshala, adding that large scale publicity campaigns must be carried out to sell the brand 'Himachal'.