City to host first global tourism fest in Dec

While Punjab and Haryana will be the partner states for the three-day fest,Himachal Pradesh,Maharashtra,Jammu and Kashmir,Rajasthan and Uttarakhand would be the participating states among others. The Uttarakhand tourism industry eyes the fest as the first step in restoring tourism in the flood-hit state. “A good 80 per cent of tourist destinations were unaffected by the June floods. Yet footfall dropped by 95 per cent in the undamaged areas like Naintal,Mussoorie. Fests like these could prove a step forward in rebuilding confidence among tourists,” said Sachin Kurve,Additional Secretary,Department of Tourism,Uttarakhand.

Kurve also informed that the Chaar Dhaam Yatra would be restarted by September 11 and the much-hit adventure tourism by September 15. “We will organise and streamline the flow of tourists in the higher altitude regions. However,the numbers of tourists will not be restricted but for the yatra registration will have to done earlier than before,” he added.

Uttarakhand Tourism will also receive an aid of $30 million from Asian Development Bank to revive the tourism industry which contibutes more than 25 per cent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The Ministry of Tourism supported fest will also host a Chief Minister’s Forum to discuss integrated tourism circuits in the region. “It will be a great opportunity to to kick start the industry which has been in troubled waters for quite a while now and as Chandigarh has become the hub of much commercial activity,it will serve as a perfect host,” said Manmohan Kohli,Chairman CII,Chandigarh Council.

The fest will also attract trade delegations from countries like Finland,China,Germany and Thailand among others.