We have put things in place to revive tourism: Dhanai

It was the worst kind of natural disaster that ruined the Char Dham Yatra in June 2013. An unknown fear gripped the potential tourists. We have worked hard and have put all things in place to revive tourism. To promote local tourism, we extensively toured major cities, held press conferences and met tour operators there.

Now, all major pilgrimage centres are getting a good response from tourists and local business community is thriving again, reminding the good old days. The Hemkund Sahib shrine is set to open and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will soon start.   

Local business and tourists’ inflow are two wheels of the same cart. <g data-gr-id="63">Large</g> arrival of tourists means more business. Hotels, lodges, kiosks and tour & travel agency businesses grow during peak tourist season.

This time, traditional cuisines will also be served at major places, which will boost the local food market. We are planning to give service sector’s best training to retain customers.    

We are planning to introduce lesser-known places to pilgrims and tourists. We have Panch <g data-gr-id="68">Kedars</g> and Panch <g data-gr-id="69">Prayags</g> en route to pilgrimage centres. Tourists, who can afford more time, can visit these places and know more about the culture and tradition of Uttarakhand. <g data-gr-id="70">Chopta</g> in Ukhimath is a picturesque place, where former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi used to spend leisure time in the 1970s. Similarly, Mahatma Gandhi was mesmerised by the beauty of Kausani near Nainital. During his Garhwal visit, Swami <g data-gr-id="71">Viveknanda</g> had stayed for several days at Devprayag to watch the Ganga on the confluence of the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi rivers.

There is tremendous scope for village, nature, adventure and wildlife tourism. The Himalayan beauty is matchless, which needs to be tapped from the tourists’ point of view. The need of the hour is to develop, promote and popularise it worldwide.

Earlier, tourists who used to stay in Mussoorie only, are now moving to nearby places such as Dhanaulti and <g data-gr-id="66">Suakholi</g>. Similarly, Lansdown is emerging as a hotspot among tourists. Tehri reservoir has been developed as a water sports activity centre, which will become popular among tourists and adventure lovers in coming years. Today’s tourists are tech-savvy. And we have updated all information on the state government's website. Still, we need to put in more efforts to develop Uttarakhand as a tourist hub.       

Such is the magic of Devbhoomi that even gods/ goddesses and monks come here for meditation. It is the hub of medicinal plants. The state has abundant water resources that can be used for generating hydroelectric power and also for recreational activities.

A VIP visit certainly invites instant media attention. But in the eyes of the almighty, all human beings are equal. No one is superior or inferior at holy places. Pilgrims come here for solace and relaxing in the lap of nature.