Shimla/Varanasi
 
Himachal Pradesh is stepping up efforts to diversify its tourism basket, promote lesser-known destinations, and build a safer, more experiential, and sustainable travel ecosystem, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday urging hotels, travel agents, and tour operators across the country to include the State’s emerging destinations in their packages.
 
Sukhu, addressing the 56th Annual Convention of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) in Varanasi, said changing traveller preferences were creating new opportunities for Himachal, where peaceful valleys, clean air, pristine waters, snow-clad mountains, forests, cultural heritage and village life could offer experiences beyond conventional sightseeing. Better road, power, water and digital connectivity, he said, had also opened up several remote destinations.
 
The government is promoting experiential, caravan and weekend tourism, while preparing a ‘She Travel’ Policy to position Himachal as a safe and welcoming destination for women travellers. It is also encouraging women-led tourism enterprises through homestays, local food ventures, handicrafts, local products, and tourism start-ups.
 
For rural tourism, the State has introduced a homestay scheme and implemented the Home Stay Rules, 2025, enabling local communities to generate self-employment while giving visitors a closer experience of Himachal’s village lifestyle.
 
Tourism infrastructure is also being expanded. The process for expanding Kangra Airport has begun, alongside a plan for an Aerocity nearby, while Kangra is being developed as the State’s ‘Tourism Capital’. The government has also decided to develop heliports at or around every district headquarters, aimed not only at improving tourism connectivity but also at strengthening disaster response, emergency medical services, and access to remote areas.
 
Sukhu said the State was committed to sustainable tourism that balances economic growth with protection of its environmental, cultural and social heritage.
 
The Chief Minister highlighted Himachal’s potential in trekking, skiing, paragliding, rafting, mountaineering, camping, mountain cycling and water sports. Bir-Billing, he said, had already placed the State firmly on the global adventure tourism map.
 
Religious and spiritual tourism remains another major draw, with Shakti Peeths, historic temples, Buddhist monasteries and Gurudwaras attracting visitors from across India and abroad and contributing substantially to the tourism economy.
 
The scale of the sector is reflected in visitor numbers. Himachal received 3.11 crore tourists during January-December 2025, including 1.66 crore religious tourists. By July 2026, another 1.06 crore tourists had already visited the State.
 
Sukhu called upon the hospitality industry, travel agents, tour operators and other stakeholders to work with the government to unlock Himachal’s wider tourism potential and establish it as a safe, clean, scenic and memorable destination for domestic and international travellers.
 
Himachal’s New Tourism Push
•         ‘She Travel’ Policy to make Himachal safer for women travellers
•         Homestays to promote rural tourism and local livelihoods
•         Caravan and weekend tourism to get a major push
•         Women-led tourism ventures to be encouraged
•         Kangra to be developed as Himachal’s ‘Tourism Capital’
•         Heliports planned near every district headquarters