Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said  Rs. 200 crore has been sanctioned under 'Nai Raahein Nai Manzilein ' scheme  to promote lesser known tourist destinations and efforts are afoot to revive tourism industry, hit by the corona pandemic, in the state.

He said this at a tourism conclave of Zee  at Manali today.  Billing in Kangra district was being developed as a paragliding and adventure sports destination, Chanshal in Shimla district as Winter sports destination, Jhenjehli in Mandi district at eco-tourism destination and Pong Dam in Kangra district at water sports destination. The steps were being taken to provide tourists best way side facilities, he said.

He said the government is committed to make Himachal Pradesh a most favoured tourist destination of the country by strengthening tourism infrastructure and providing world class facilities to the tourists.

Chief Minister said tourism industry was the adversely affected sector during Corona pandemic.  The government’s aim was the survival of the industry and now focus was being laid on revival of the tourism sector.

He said that tourism sector accounts of 7.3 per cent of the total state’s GDP. He said that it not only providing direct and indirect employment to local youth but was also a major sector for providing self employment opportunities to the youth.    

Chief Minister said the DPRs worth Rs 700 crore is under way under the Rs. 2095 crore ADB tourism project in the state. He said that Shiv Dham was being developed in Mandi district which would be an added attraction for the tourists, he added.

Thakur said the efforts are on to construct greenfield airport at Nagchala in Mandi district. The Finance commission has also recommended Rs 1000 crore for this airport which would not only add wings to tourism development and aides India strategically.

IT Minister Dr. Ram Lal Markanda, education minister Govind Singh Thakur also participated in the conclave. Principal secretary Tourism and Civil Aviation Subhasish Panda was also present on the occasion.