India
The tourism boom in Uttarakhand: 6 crore visitors driven by adventure, pilgrimage and ecology expected by year end | India News – Times of India
The state government has launched a series of new initiatives to further strengthen the tourism sector, with emphasis on adventure tourismecotourism and pilgrimage. These efforts include promoting astro and aviation tourism and introducing various training programs for local youth to interact with tourists through adventure activities.
State government initiatives and projects to boost tourism
Here are some initiatives taken by the Government of Uttarakhand:
Mansakhand Temple Circuit ‘s new tourist train initiative: The Mansakhand Temple Circuit is now being promoted nationwide with the launch of the Bharat Gaurav Mansakhand Express, in association with IRCTC. This special train has already departed from Pune, Bengaluru, Madurai and Mumbai and takes tourists and devotees to important temples such as Purnagiri, Hatkalika and Jageshwar Dham. The tourism department has also given priority to beautifying these temples.- Adventure training for youth: The state has trained 1,816 local youth in paragliding, mountaineering and trekking, in partnership with external agencies, providing adventure options for tourists while creating local employment opportunities.
- Kedarnath’s transformation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s restoration project for Kedarnath Dham has transformed it into a major pilgrimage site, with visitor numbers growing every year. After the devastating floods of 2013, the restoration project – started in 2017 – has completed a Rs 225-crore first phase and is progressing with the second.
- Recognition of Adi Kailash: Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Adi Kailash in October increased its popularity, with record numbers of tourists. Located at an altitude of around 17,000 feet, Adi Kailash has become an alternative to the hanging Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. The government has improved road access to ensure safer and easier pilgrimages.
- Revitalization of Jadung village: Jadung village in Uttarkashi district was once abandoned during the Indo-China War of 1962 and is being restored under the Vibrant Village Scheme. The state government is transforming old buildings into homestays, with six buildings currently under renovation.
- Cable car to reduce travel time from Dehradun-Mussoorie: Work is underway to build a 5.3 km ropeway between Purkul village in Dehradun and Library Chowk in Mussoorie, which is expected to reduce travel time to just 15 minutes. The ropeway is scheduled to be completed by November 2026, while similar projects are underway for Champawat and Uttarkashi districts.
- Growing as a wedding destination: The Uttarakhand government is working towards realizing Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Wed in India’ vision by developing the state as a premier wedding destination. Known for its Char Dham shrines and natural beauty, the state aims to attract both domestic and international wedding tourism.
- The Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali tourism program encourages self-employment: The Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Tourism Scheme has given a boost to both self-employment and tourism. Under the scheme, tourism entrepreneurs are eligible for subsidies of up to Rs 33 lakh, while the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Homestay Scheme offers subsidies of up to Rs 15 lakh.
- Recognition of four villages as best tourist destinations: Four villages in Uttarakhand received the Best Tourism Village Award, enhancing the state’s reputation for adventure, vibrant village and agritourism.
- Rs 47,646 crore in tourism investment commitments: The Global Investor Summit held in December 2023 attracted Rs 47,646 crore of investments in the tourism sector, among the total commitments of Rs 3.56 lakh crore, highlighting the state’s strong tourism potential.
- Hotel Management Course and Master Plan for Jageshwar Dham: To support hospitality education, the Institute of Hotel Management in Ramnagar has introduced a course. Moreover, a master plan for Jageshwar Dham in Almora is underway with approved funding of Rs 21.34 crore.
- Improved booking platform for homestays: The tourism department has introduced an online travel aggregator for homestay bookings, allowing seamless reservations through the official website.
Other initiatives:
Apart from the above-mentioned plans and projects, the Mahasu Devta Temple in Hanol will undergo an upgrade inspired by the Kedarnath model, thereby increasing its appeal. Also, the state’s first Tehri Acro Festival attracted paragliders from 26 countries, showcasing Uttarakhand as a hub for adventure sports. Meanwhile, in Uttarkashi, 720 youth were certified in adventure tourism skills through a training program by the Nehru Mountaineering Institute. Moreover, a special ceremony at the Kartik Swami Temple in South India highlighted the state’s growing tourism initiatives.
