CM invites hospitality and tourism industry to explore Himachal’s emerging destinations

SHIMLA 23 August, 2026

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today welcomed and felicitated hotel professionals, travel agents, tour operators and other representatives of the tourism industry from across the country at the 56th Annual Convention of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) in Varanasi.

The Chief Minister urged tourism industry stakeholders to encourage domestic and international travellers to visit Himachal Pradesh and include new and lesser-known destinations of the State in their tour packages. He said Himachal’s peaceful and safe valleys, clean air, pristine waters, snow-clad mountains, lush green forests, rich cultural heritage and simple village lifestyle make it a distinctive destination for travellers from across India and the world. He said today’s traveller is looking beyond conventional sightseeing and increasingly seeks peace, nature, authentic experiences, wellness, culture and meaningful engagement with local communities. Himachal Pradesh, he said, is naturally suited to meet these emerging preferences. Improved road, power, water and digital connectivity has also made several remote tourist destinations more accessible, he added.

Sukhu said the State Government is promoting experiential tourism to enable visitors to explore unexplored areas and experience the local culture, traditions and way of life at close quarters. Caravan tourism and weekend tourism are also being encouraged. He said the State is preparing a ‘She Travel’ Policy with the objective of establishing Himachal Pradesh as a safe and welcoming destination for women travellers. The government is also working to promote women-led tourism entrepreneurship by enabling women to create livelihood and self-employment opportunities through homestays, local food enterprises, handicrafts, local products and tourism start-ups, he added.