Dehradun: A meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan was held to promote winter tourism in Uttarakhand. The Chief Secretary emphasized the development of new tourist destinations, tourism products, and activities with the aim of establishing the state as a leading year-round tourism destination.
The Chief Secretary directed officials to identify, develop, and effectively promote lesser-known tourist destinations to reduce tourist pressure on popular destinations such as Nainital and Mussoorie. He called for comprehensive plans to develop tourism activities based on the unique characteristics of each potential destination.
He directed officials to promote new trekking routes, high-altitude marathons, bird watching, nature tourism, and adventure tourism. He also emphasized involving local residents, tourism entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders in tourism development so as to increase employment and self-employment opportunities.
Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan directed officials to study successful models from international tourist destinations with geographical and seasonal conditions similar to Uttarakhand and develop new tourism products suited to the state.
He also stressed the development of tourism circuits and packages connecting major destinations such as Jageshwar, Kasar Devi, and the Sun Temple. The Chief Secretary directed that another meeting be held within 15 days to review new tourism projects and that a tourism conference be organized to promote winter tourism.
