World Tourism Day 2025 Celebrated in Shimla with Warm Welcome for Visitors
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Shimla, September 27, 2025 – On the occasion of World Tourism Day 2025, tourists arriving in Shimla via the historic Shimla–Kalka railway were welcomed with garlands and flowers, creating a festive atmosphere in the hill town.
District Tourism Development Officer (DTDO) Jagdish Sharma informed that thousands of visitors arrive daily in Shimla, and to mark the day, special greetings were extended at the railway station. Tourism-related promotional material was also distributed at popular sites including Mall Road, Victory Tunnel, and The Lift.
He highlighted that World Tourism Day is celebrated globally on September 27 every year to emphasize the social, cultural, political, and economic value of tourism. The theme for this year is “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.” Sharma noted that tourism not only boosts the local and national economy but also generates employment, strengthens local businesses, and fosters cultural exchange.
Speaking about the state government’s initiatives, he shared details of the Chief Minister Tourism Startup Scheme, aimed at strengthening Himachal’s hospitality sector. Under the scheme, financial relief in the form of interest subsidies will be provided on loans for setting up new tourism units and upgrading existing homestays. Beneficiaries will receive an interest subsidy of 3% in urban areas, 4% in rural areas, and 5% in tribal regions for up to three years on loans up to ₹2 crore.
The scheme is exclusively for bonafide Himachalis and seeks to position homestays as affordable alternatives to expensive hotels. It also aims to encourage longer tourist stays in rural regions, promote cultural tourism, generate self-employment, and strengthen the state’s economy.
