Admn set to boost tourism with online ticketing, special cops
To make Chandigarh a prominent tourist destination, the UT Administration is likely to unveil a comprehensive tourism promotion plan within the next 15–20 days.
The plan is aimed at enhancing the experience of both domestic and international tourists through a slew of modernised and streamlined facilities, including online ticketing, a single-window clearance system and a centralised tourism portal.
To make the plan effective, the UT Administration has studied tourism models of Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Kerala, Haryana and other Union Territories. Extensive consultations have also been held with the stakeholders from the hospitality sector, tourism associations and hotel owners to ensure a holistic and inclusive approach to the plan.
The city, known for tourist attractions such as the Capitol Complex in Sector 1, Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Bird Park, Indian Air Force Heritage Centre and the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10, is visited by 30,000 foreign and 12 lakh domestic tourists every year. The new plan is aimed at increasing the number by removing logistical and service-related bottlenecks.
The Tourism Department will launch a dedicated portal where city hotels can upload their real-time data on tourist check-ins. Each hotel will receive a unique ID and password to ensure seamless data integration. A toll-free helpline for tourist grievances is also in the pipeline.
One of the most notable features of the new plan is the deployment of ‘Tourist Police’ to assist visitors at key attractions. A total of 30 police personnel will be specially trained at the Institute of Hotel Management, Sector 42. Dressed in white with blue ‘Tourist Police’ badges, these officers will offer support and safety to both domestic and international tourists. Additionally, the administration will streamline the approval process for film shooting in the city through a single-window system. More licensed guides will be recruited, with fixed rates published transparently on the tourism website.
A senior official from the Tourism Department said, “We are preparing this plan with an integrated approach. It will not only improve tourist facilities but also focus on interstate collaboration through trade fairs, exhibitions and other tourism events.”
The administration believes that the new initiative will redefine Chandigarh’s image as a tourist-friendly city while boosting its economy through increased footfall and better infrastructure.
Chandigarh