CM urged to form dedicated ministry for tourism
Tourism stakeholders in Manali are calling for the establishment of a dedicated tourism ministry in Himachal Pradesh. They highlight the need for strategic infrastructure development to revive the ailing tourism sector of the state. Himachal is one of India’s most iconic hill destinations but it is still to exploit it tourism potential, especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, say hoteliers.
Former presidents of the Manali Hoteliers Association Anup Thakur and Gajender Thakur have urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to prioritise tourism and devise a comprehensive strategy to promote Himachal, particularly Manali, as a year-round tourist destination. They have requested Sukhu to form a separate tourism ministry for the purpose.
Roshan Thakur, former vice-president of the Manali Hoteliers Association, and Budhi Prakash Thakur, former president of the Himachal Pradesh Travel Agents Association, say that the lack of dedicated tourism ministry is a roadblock. “While Punjab and Haryana have dedicated tourism ministries, Himachal, despite its reliance on tourism as a major economic source, is yet to appoint a minister. Tourism is one of the biggest contributors to Himachal’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but we still do not have a ministry for it. This must change if we want to remain competitive with other states and countries,” he adds.
The region faces several pressing infrastructure problems, including narrow and damaged roads, severe traffic congestion and inadequate facilities for waste disposal. Manali, in particular, suffers from an unreliable power distribution system and challenges related to clean drinking water. The stakeholders argue that while local efforts to address these issues are valuable, government intervention and a clear long-term strategy can bring about meaningful improvement.
One of the key concerns of the stakeholders is the poor condition of the Kullu-Manali National Highway, which has remained so after the floods in the Beas. Roshan says that the delay in the repair and widening of the highway is exacerbating traffic congestion, particularly during the peak tourist season. “Solutions often come too late while both residents and visitors have already felt the impact,” he adds.
He says that Manali is a popular tourist destination but it still struggles to attract high-end tourists. He warns that unless immediate steps are taken to enhance the tourism experience of tourists, other destinations, both in India and abroad, may succeed in attracting visitors away from Himachal. “If we do not act now, we risk losing our place as one of the top tourist destinations,” he adds.
The tourism stakeholders also draw attention towards the lack of promotion of Himachal tourism on national platforms. “While other states actively promote tourism through advertisements and trade fairs, Himachal is often left behind,” says Roshan. This, coupled with the fact that Himachal hotel owners face inflated costs at trade fairs, has made it harder for them to compete with their counterparts in other states, he adds.
He draws comparison with global tourism models and highlights the example of the Maldives, which despite being a small nation has a dedicated tourism ministry. “This kind of focus on tourism has allowed the Maldives to become a leading global destination and we believe a similar approach can work for Himachal,” he adds.
Himachal Tribune