Uttarakhand Chief Minister Launches Drive for 12-Month Tourism
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated a three-day winter tourism conclave in Uttarkashi on Wednesday. He declared that Uttarakhand must transform into a year-round tourism destination. The event took place at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering.
Addressing Seasonal Unemployment
Dhami explained the core objective of the new winter tourism policy. He stated it aims to prevent mountains from becoming empty. Hotels should not shut down during off-seasons. Taxis must not remain idle. Most importantly, young people should not have to migrate for jobs.
The Chief Minister stressed that year-round tourism will significantly strengthen the state's economy. He pointed out that tourism activity was previously limited to just four or six months. This left hotel staff, taxi operators, and many others without work for long periods.
Positioning Uttarakhand as a Natural Retreat
Dhami contrasted Uttarakhand with major Indian cities. He referred to rising pollution, intense heat, traffic jams, and high stress levels in urban centers. The state, he said, has the potential to become the country's premier natural healing destination.
The state is moving beyond its famous identity as a Char Dham pilgrimage hub. It is now actively positioning itself as a center for multiple attractions. These include wellness, nature, adventure, culture, yoga, meditation, and sustainable tourism practices.
Government Initiatives and Stakeholder Participation
The government has introduced several measures to support this shift. A single-window system is now in place to speed up administrative processes for tourism projects. The winter Char Dham Yatra has been launched. Discounts are being offered at tourist rest houses. Promotional efforts for winter tourism have been stepped up considerably.
Dhami emphasized the crucial role of tour operators in this mission. He noted that destination branding and setting new trends are largely in their hands.
The conclave saw strong participation from the industry:
- 50 tour operators from across India attended.
- 50 state-level tour operators joined the event.
- 50 local tour operators from Uttarakhand participated.
Representatives from key local associations also took part. These included the hotel associations of Uttarkashi and Barkot, the Trekking Organisation Uttarkashi, and stakeholders based in Sankri.
Focus on Winter Destinations
The conclave focused on strategies to promote Uttarakhand as a 12-month destination. As part of the three-day program, participating tour operators will visit key winter sites. They will tour Mukhba, the winter abode of Maa Ganga. The itinerary includes Kharsali, the winter seat of Goddess Yamuna. Operators will also visit the Kedarkantha trek base camp at Sankri. These visits aim to promote winter tourism potential in the region directly.
