Says government making efforts to promote winter tourism in the State
THURSDAY, 13 October 2022 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Uttarakhand tourism minister Satpal Maharaj said that the State experienced a record breaking number of pilgrims this year. He stated this during his address in Swadesh Tourism Conclave organised in Delhi on Wednesday. He said that there has been a significant increase in the number of tourists arriving in the State this year, especially in Nainital, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri, Champawat, Harshil, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Mussoorie.
A large number of devotees are also arriving in the State to visit Timmersain Mahadev after the State government provided the relaxation in the inner line permit for the Niti valley in Chamoli district. He said that over 42 lakh pilgrims arrived during the ongoing Char Dham Yatra season in the State this year including 15.14 lakh in Badrinath, 14.25 lakh in Kedarnath, 4.73 lakh in Yamunotri, over six lakhs pilgrims in Gangotri and 1.90 lakh in Hemkund Sahib which is a record breaking number.
Maharaj said that the government is also making constant efforts to promote winter tourism as most of the pilgrimages are closed in winters for the tourists. He said that the government is working on developing tourist destinations like carrying out development works to promote adventure tourism in new Tehri Lake and Auli and besides promoting Rishikesh as a wellness city. He said that many events like adventure fest, Ganga kayaking, and other adventure sports are being organised by the government. He said that the Pandit Deendayal Homestay Scheme is being run successfully in the State to connect the local people of tourist destinations with employment. The transport department has registered a total of 4,453 for homestays across the State so far, added Maharaj.
The union tourism minister G Kishan Reddy and Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh along with the ministers of other states were also present in the event.
