Dehradun, July 14
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan on Tuesday reviewed the Tourism Department in the Secretariat auditorium. He took detailed information on all the schemes of the department and emphasized that tourism is one of the most important sources of Uttarakhand’s economy. He directed the department to set targets for the next five years to achieve outcome indicators.
The Chief Secretary instructed special efforts for the publicity of tourism products, stating that without promotion, achieving the set goals would not be easy. He asked for an annual publicity plan to be prepared. He highlighted that events such as the Niti Extreme Ultra Run 2026, Adi Kailash High Altitude Marathon, River Rafting Festivals, and Winter Carnivals should be organized annually at fixed times in different locations, as such events not only generate publicity but also become major attractions for tourists.
CS directed the preparation of short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans for tourism development. He stressed the creation of tourism circuits and destinations along with necessary infrastructure, while also involving private sector investors in hospitality and tourism projects. He emphasized the continuous development of new tourist sites and promoting inclusive and sustainable tourism to ensure balanced growth across the state.
The Chief Secretary also called for institutionalized guide training for the youth, suggesting that IHM (Institute of Hotel Management) could be utilized for this purpose. Training modules should be designed so that trained youth can find employment not only in Uttarakhand but across India and overseas. He further directed special efforts for Vibrant Villages and noted the growing demand for glamping projects. He instructed that suitable locations be identified and glamping products developed accordingly.