DW BUREAU / Bilaspur (HP)

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said Friday the Himachal Pradesh government will develop new tourist destinations, which would include setting up of 200 hotels -- from 3-star to 7-star -- wellness centres, among other things, at Rs 2,400 crore. Asserting that the state will be tuned into the tourism capital of the country, Sukhu also virtually announced major developmental projects for Bilaspur -- water sports activities at Kol Dam, the inauguration of 110 KW rooftop solar power plant in the DC office, a dedicated 'livelihood centre' and four space labs.

In a statement issued here, he said water-based activities being introduced in the Gobind Sagar Lake region would boost adventure tourism in a big way. Himachal Pradesh would emerge as a hub of water tourism soon, the CM said. Cruise, houseboat, jet ski, motor boat and water scooter facilities are being developed in Govind Sagar Lake and other water bodies of the state with the aim to boost water sports and generate employment for local youth, the statement said. The state government has accorded top priority to the tourism sector as it has been the industry generating the highest revenue, with a major chunk of GST income coming from the sector, the chief minister said.

The state government envisions a compact package for tourism promotion, which will integrate religious tourism, eco-tourism, water tourism, nature tourism, health tourism, etc. which can attract all kinds of tourists from the country and abroad, he added.

"The state government has decided to develop new tourist destinations at a cost of Rs 2,400 crores which would include setting up of well centres, 200 hotels -- from 3 to 7 star," he said.

Sukhu said facilities in Shree Naina Devi Temple would also be upgraded with an expenditure of Rs. 100 crores and Rs 200 crore will be spent on the construction of a convention centre at Dharamshala.

(editor@dailyworld.in)