uttarakhand new tourism policy

Uttarakhand government approves the Tourism Policy 2023

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Uttarakhand’s new tourism policy aims to facilitate reverse migration

An uttarakhand toursim development board official said the state government has an elaborate road map ready to achieve the objective of reversing migration from the hill state..

About two decades after its formation, Uttarakhand finally has its tourism policy that aims to “facilitate reverse migration” to the fast emptying-out hills by promoting village-based tourism. The policy also aims to tap the hill state’s potential for wellness and adventure tourism.

“We have a tourism policy in place about 18 years after the state’s formation. It is a comprehensive strategy that aims to tap the state’s vast potential for eco-tourism, wellness as well as adventure tourism,” said VS Chauhan, joint director, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB).

“It aims to facilitate reverse migration to the fast emptying out hills by creating entrepreneurship avenues for the local youth in the tourism sector.”

Chauhan said the state government had an elaborate roadmap ready to achieve that objective. “As per that scheme, we plan to rope in investors in a big way,” he said adding that they (investors) had evinced keen interest in investing in the tourism sector.

Referring to the recently held Investors Summit in Dehradun, he said investors signed about 140 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 15,000 crore with the state government during the high-profile event.

The summit, that saw participation of a large number of foreign and Indian investors, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“We have an elaborate roadmap ready to retain the proposed investment,” Chauhan said.

As part of that move, a land bank would be created so that investors wanting to make investments in the tourism sector have enough space to set up their commercial establishments.

“The government has introduced some crucial changes in its land policy so that investors could be provided sufficient land in the hills to set up hotels, motels and restaurants etc,” said the official, adding in that connection a nine-member high powered committee headed by the chief secretary had been set up.

Apart from the principal secretary, tourism, the panel will also have secretaries of the departments of industries, finance, revenue and urban development besides a senior forest official as its members.

“It (panel) will be represented by the officials of all key departments to ensure a hassle-free clearance of projects submitted by investors for promotion of the tourism sector,” Chauhan said.

The panel would also have to “ensure that investors are able to avail of various incentives and exemptions granted to them”, as per the provisions stipulated in the tourism policy released on November 26.

Besides, UTDB would also set up investment facilitation centres for a proper coordination between these centres and the online single window portal.

“The mechanism will be put in place to ensure a speedy clearance of projects proposed by investors; it will also ensure that investors are provided all necessary documents like licenses and no-objection certificates,” Chauhan said.

Facilities to be granted to investors would include capital subsidy for large, mega and ultra-mega projects that would be proposed by them for the tourism sector.

Under the policy, exemptions would also be granted to all three categories of the projects.

“Besides, large, mega and ultra-mega projects would also be entitled to 30%, 50% and 50% reimbursement for State Goods and Services Tax (SGST),” the tourism policy document reads.

It also aims to develop the central Himalayan region as a “safe and tourist friendly” destination.

The strategy also proposes to promote winter tourism and alpine tourism in the mountain state so that the seasonality in tourism is replaced with round-the-year tourism and people could be sure of regular income.

Promoting the mountain state as a hub of wellness tourism is also one of the key objectives of the tourism policy.

Those in the tourism sector welcomed the tourism promotion strategy but cautioned that the government would have to ensure its proper and consistent implementation.

“The tourism policy per say is sound in almost all departments but the problem crops up in implementation,” said Praveen Sharma, a prominent hotelier and tourism expert based in Nainital.

“So, they (government) will have to ensure that it is implemented in toto at the level of the district magistrates.”

Mukund Prasad, a prominent hotelier and former member of UTDB, agreed that the concept of tourism policy was good.

“If it is implemented properly it can help facilitate reverse migration,” he said.

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Uttarakhand to give capital subsidy of up to 50% for investment in tourism sector

About the Author

A Senior Assistant Editor in TOI with an inclination towards political reporting. Covers chief minister office, Congress and Tourism.

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IAS Sachin Kurve Unveils Uttarakhand's Sustainable Tourism Roadmap

Lodged in the lap of the Himalayas, Uttarakhand stands as a testament to nature's splendour, boasting majestic peaks, lush forests, and sacred rivers that meander through its breathtaking landscapes. Known as the "Land of the Gods," this northern Indian state is revered for its spiritual significance, encompassing revered pilgrimage sites like the holy towns of Haridwar, Rishikesh and the revered Char Dham circuit.

Amidst this picturesque panorama, Shri Sachin Kurve holds a pivotal role as the Secretary of Tourism and CEO of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. With a passion for harnessing the state's tourism potential, Kurve's leadership embodies a commitment to showcase Uttarakhand's diverse cultural heritage, adventure opportunities, and ecotourism initiatives. His dedication to fostering sustainable tourism practices aligns seamlessly with Uttarakhand's essence, promising a harmonious blend of nature, spirituality, and enriching experiences for travellers from around the globe.

Exclusive excerpts from the interview here.

As a leader in the tourism sector, what is your long-term vision for tourism in Uttarakhand, and what steps are being taken to realise it?

In recent years, the government has prioritised the promotion of lesser known hidden gems in the state due to the ecologically delicate nature of its terrain, recognising its significance for the state's future. To achieve this objective, our department has undertaken various initiatives. These efforts primarily focus on alleviating congestion in heavily frequented areas, endorsing environmentally conscious tourism, fostering adventure tourism in remote locales, and introducing new tourism offerings within the state. Concurrently, the government remains committed to enhancing fundamental infrastructure, particularly in terms of connectivity and communication networks, catering to the needs of pilgrims and tourists exploring the state.

Uttarakhand Tourism is actively pursuing a mission to foster adventure tourism activities such as water sports, aero sports, and trekking across the state. We are confident that this approach will distribute the advantages of tourism more evenly while minimising adverse environmental effects.

In pursuit of this goal, the department has engaged Sh. Tanaji Takave as a paragliding mentor. Under his guidance, various paragliding courses have commenced in the state, aimed at training our youth as proficient paragliding pilots.

Furthermore, recent measures include exempting fees for water sports like kayaking and rafting on rivers other than the Ganga, intended to encourage water sports in lesser-explored areas and alleviate congestion in popular spots. Notably, on World Tourism Day 2023, a successful three-day program featuring an Angling Meet and the National Rafting Championship took place at Tanakpur on the Sharda River in district Champawat.

Additionally, plans are underway to commence work on the Dehradun – Mussoorie Ropeway and Yamunotri Ropeway soon, aiming to enhance facilities for tourists and pilgrims visiting these destinations and introduce innovative tourism experiences.

According to you, what are the most captivating natural attractions for tourists in the state?

The state boasts an expanse of unspoiled beauty set against the grandeur of the Himalayas, which serves as our unique selling proposition. However, it is imperative to ensure that the surge in tourist activity does not compromise the ecological integrity of these areas.

I foresee several areas within the districts of Tehri, Uttarkashi, Champawat, and Pithoragarh as potential favoured destinations for tourists in the coming years. These districts possess abundant natural splendour, catering to the interests of spiritual seekers, adventure enthusiasts, and nature lovers.

Beyond its natural allure, its temples enrich the state with spiritual significance. These temples, steeped in the narratives of the "Mahabharata" and local folklore, transcend mere symbols of faith. They stand as custodians of the indigenous culture, forging a collective bond among the local populace.

While pilgrimage routes like the Chardham Yatra and renowned destinations such as Haridwar and Rishikesh enjoy significant popularity, the government actively promotes and enhances infrastructure for numerous other temples. For instance, the Kartik Swami Temple in district Rudraprayag is the sole Murugan temple in the region. The Jagganath Temple in Uttarkashi is believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya. The state has also devised the Manaskhand Mandir Mala project to develop and promote temples in the Kumaon region.

Can you share some initiatives and developments to promote sustainable and responsible tourism practices in Uttarakhand?

Numerous measures have been implemented to champion sustainable and responsible tourism practices in Uttarakhand. Any new hotel projects are mandated to comply with international sustainability standards. The upcoming tourism ventures prioritise minimising ecological interference while actively endorsing adventure tourism, stargazing activities, and fostering community-based homestays.

Simultaneously, we encourage travellers visiting Uttarakhand to join us in advocating for sustainable and responsible tourism practices, thereby contributing to preserving our natural resources and cultural heritage.

Uttarakhand is known for its rich biodiversity and numerous national parks. How is the state promoting ecotourism and wildlife conservation?

Uttarakhand boasts an impressive 70 per cent forest cover and is a sanctuary for wildlife enthusiasts, hosting six national parks, seven wildlife sanctuaries, one biosphere reserve, and four conservation reserves. To leverage this natural wealth, the Tourism Department's Ecotourism Policy emphasises empowering local youth by nurturing their skills to become "Ecopreneurs" within the state.

Nature enthusiasts from around the globe are drawn to Uttarakhand, seeking immersive experiences in nature, including exploring nature trails and gaining insights into the local flora and fauna. To facilitate this, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has provided specialised training to village youth in birdwatching, bird sound recognition, and knowledge about indigenous flora and fauna. This initiative has effectively generated employment opportunities for local youth as "Nature Guides."

Recognising the significance of community-based accommodations, the tourism department actively assists various villages in developing activities such as farm stays and village-based experiences. This support enhances the overall tourist experience while simultaneously benefitting the villages economically.

Wildlife management falls within the purview of the state Forest Department, which spearheads several initiatives aimed at conserving the diverse wildlife within Uttarakhand and mitigating instances of human-wildlife conflict. The Forest Department's Ecotourism wing actively promotes wildlife tourism throughout the state, aligning efforts with conservation objectives.

How has technology been integrated into the tourism sector in Uttarakhand to improve visitor experiences and accessibility?

Technology serves as a significant facilitator in the tourism sector. While the tourism department maintains its website and social media platforms to share information about tourist attractions, events, and programs, the rise of social media influencers has created an ecosystem where tourists increasingly rely on their recommendations when making travel decisions.

In line with technological advancements, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has implemented a compulsory registration system for pilgrims embarking on the Chardham Yatra. This registration process is accessible through various online platforms such as apps, websites, and WhatsApp. Recognising the diverse technological access among pilgrims, the department also offers registration assistance through a call center for those without internet access or smartphones. This registration system has proven beneficial, enabling the department to disseminate real-time weather updates, information about roadblocks, and other essential details to pilgrims via SMS and WhatsApp. This initiative empowers pilgrims to make informed decisions during their journey.

Furthermore, the department remains committed to evolving within the technological landscape to ensure tourists receive the most pertinent and up-to-date information. Plans are underway to launch a new, more interactive website designed to provide real-time information to tourists, further enhancing their experience and access to relevant details.

Could you highlight transportation and infrastructure improvements that have made it easier for tourists to explore different parts of the state?

In recent years, in collaboration with the Government of India, the state has initiated numerous infrastructure projects such as All Weather Roads and railway endeavours. These ongoing projects, upon completion, are poised to significantly enhance connectivity across various regions within the state. The impending inauguration of the Delhi–Dehradun expressway is anticipated to benefit tourists and emerge as a pivotal economic corridor.

The Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation are engaged in a concerted effort to establish air connectivity to remote areas of the state. Pithoragarh is soon expected to be linked by air routes through Dehradun and Pantnagar, a development projected to augment tourism footfall in the region substantially.

Furthermore, the improved railway connections, particularly in areas like Karnprayag, are predicted to increase tourist visits to nearby destinations. This enhancement in accessibility is poised to impact tourism dynamics positively across these regions.

Could you share some examples of how Uttarakhand is involved and benefiting from the active participation of local communities in tourism development and activities?

Uttarakhand faces a significant migration challenge as individuals from hilly areas gravitate toward the plains in pursuit of better opportunities. Within this context, tourism emerges as a pivotal factor in offering livelihood prospects to the local youth. The government is actively empowering local communities to curate activities that align with the interests of contemporary tourists.

Numerous examples of community-based tourist villages throughout the state serve as inspiring models for other regions. Sarmauli Village in Pithoragarh district is an exemplary case where the community has cultivated homestays, engaged in agricultural activities, and established nature-based pursuits such as birdwatching, trails, and treks catering to tourists. Similarly, the Goat Villages are spread across several centres in the state, training and empowering village communities in activities like cattle rearing, farming, and setting up homestays. Tourists seeking authentic experiences are drawn to these villages for immersive interactions with the local populace.

The tourism department consistently conducts nature and heritage guide training programs for local youth across various state regions. These initiatives equip the youth with birdwatching skills, flora and fauna identification, and knowledge about regional heritage structures, folklore, local deities, and temples. Subsequently, these trained guides collaborate with tourist groups to enrich their experience.

Recently, the department piloted an experiment in Pithoragarh district, training four local youths in nature-based professional photography and videography over three weeks. This initiative aimed to impart a skill set that could sustain rural youth's livelihood. Recognising the significance of content creation in the era of social media, these individuals will now act as content creators for Uttarakhand Tourism, showcasing the state's unique biodiversity and cultural richness. Building upon the success of this endeavour, the department aims to expand this model to other regions, empowering local youth with specific skills that enable them to generate livelihoods while enhancing the tourism experience for visitors to their respective areas.

Are there any recent or upcoming developments or projects in Uttarakhand's tourism sector that you would like to highlight, and how do you envision impacting the state's tourism landscape?

The Government of Uttarakhand has introduced the Tourism Investor Policy 2023-2030, aimed at attracting investors in the Hospitality and Experiential sectors. Within the Experiential Sector, the focus is cultivating tourist experiences such as trekking routes, hot air ballooning, and other environmentally sustainable tourism ventures.

Anticipating adventure tourism as a significant catalyst for future tourism growth, the Adventure Wing of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) is diligently working on developing numerous sites for aero-tourism, water-based activities, trekking, and mountaineering.

The George Everest Estate, the former residence of Sir George Everest near Mussoorie, is undergoing development to become a central hub for various tourism-related activities. The Himalaya Darshan Scheme, commencing from this estate, offers tourists a bird's eye view of the majestic Himalayan peaks through a 15-20 minute helicopter ride. Plans are underway to introduce the concept of "Breakfast Tourism," enabling tourists to embark on helicopter rides from George Everest Estate to tranquil destinations like Dayara Bugyal for a serene breakfast amidst nature, completing the trip within 3-4 hours.

To amplify tourist footfall in areas beyond the usual tourist hubs, various tourism facilities are in the pipeline for destinations like Jageshwar Temple in villages in Almora, Pithoragarh and Uttarkashi districts. These efforts aim to distribute tourist traffic across the state, alleviating congestion in already overcrowded destinations.

The department envisions hosting regular international water and aero sports events at Tehri Lake.

Furthermore, we recently wrapped up the inaugural Tehri Acro Festival held in Tehri from November 24 to 28. Over 150 paragliding athletes, including 54 international participants from 26 countries, participated in this landmark event. It marked the first of its kind in the country.

Not only this, improving air connectivity is a priority for the state, with outlined intentions to link Dehradun and Pantnagar airports to Amritsar, Varanasi, and Kathmandu. Such initiatives aim to significantly enhance tourist accessibility. Additionally, in the realm of aero sports, Uttarakhand is poised to pioneer the launch of Gyrocopters from Haridwar, marking a pioneering move as the first state to do so. The necessary approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have already been secured.

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Diversifying Uttarakhand’s tourism potential

India’s northern state is ramping up efforts to draw more international visitors with a variety of offerings such as wellness, adventure, home stays, and more

The northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, mainly popular for being home of religious destinations like Haridwar and Rishikesh – known as the yoga capital of the World – is now stepping up to promote its lesser-known tourism experiences, with development of infrastructure and community participation as an integral part of the state’s strategy.

The government of Uttarakhand introduced its new tourism policy last year which aims to position the state as a diversified tourist destination, offering a mix of products like heritage, religion, nature, wildlife, wellness tourism, and more. The focus of the policy, which will be effective for seven years, is to create new tourism circuits and destinations.

Sachin Kurve, secretary of tourism and CEO of Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB), said: “Our government has made it a priority to promote lesser-known hidden treasures within the state as we are looking to reduce congestion in heavily visited tourist destinations. We want to promote tourism in remote locations and introduce new tourism experiences throughout the state. We are actively developing new destinations such as Uttarkashi, Champawat, New Tehri and Pithoragarh to offer diverse tourism activities.”

As per the targets of the Uttarakhand Tourism Policy, the sector is expected to contribute US$10 billion to the state’s economy annually by 2030. Manish Goyal, founder, Stotrak Hospitality, said: “The boom that domestic tourism has witnessed has helped to grow tourist arrivals in Uttarakhand too. This year has started on a positive note for us with demand being generated from segments like FITs, group travel and MICE. Under the policy made for tourism investment, subsidies are being offered by the government to private players investing in unexplored places and segments like heli-tourism, caravan tourism, adventure tourism and operators of electric vehicles for transportation. This push will help in promoting tourism activities, and subsequently create new employment opportunities.”

Uttarakhand is looking to take up minimum 100 public private partnership (PPP) projects before 2030. In fact, the state government has already signed several memoranda of understanding with a number of hospitality players in the country.

In 2023, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts (MHRIL) signed an MoU with the government of Uttarakhand to invest 10 billion rupees (US$119.69 million) and build four to five large marquee resorts over the next few years in the state. This is the biggest investment by MHRIL announced in any state in India. Efcee Hotels, the hotel investment arm of the Leela Group of Companies, is also developing four hotels in the state.

In order to promote the state for wellness tourism, Uttarakhand has also signed an MoU with Atmantan Wellness Centre to set up a 100-150-room property. Nikhil Kapur, co-founder and director, Atmantan Wellness Centre, said that considering the incredible landscape and cultural richness of Uttarakhand, the state is positioned perfectly for travellers seeking wellness experiences.

The state aims to encourage private sector involvement in developing adventure tourism activities too. These activities include water sports, white water rafting, aero sports, paragliding, parasailing, hot air ballooning, mountain biking, trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing, bungee jumping, skiing, snowboarding, and so on. Uttarakhand Tourism organised a five-day long paragliding acrobatic event – one-of-its-kind event in India – at Tehri Lake in November last year. The event attracted 178 paragliders from 27 countries.

The Uttarakhand government is in pursuit of developing skiing resorts in three places including Auli, Munsiyari and Dayara Bugyal at an expected investment of around US$100 million.

“Uttarakhand can increase the average length of stay of tourists in the state to four to five days by creating new tourism circuits and promoting new tourist experiences. Presently, the average length of stay of tourists in the state is about two to three days. Also, considering the fragile ecosystem of the state, sustainable development of tourism needs to be prioritised,” said Arun Anand, managing director, Midtown Travels.

In order to build host capacity in untapped destinations, UTDB joined hands with Airbnb earlier this year. The partnership will focus on onboarding local home stays onto the Airbnb platform. Airbnb will conduct workshops in the identified pilot destinations to train ‘model hosts’ on setting up their profiles, optimising listing content, and capturing attractive photographs to entice travellers. Through the focus on home stays, the state government is looking to offer employment opportunities to local communities and unveil new tourist spots for travellers.

On the other hand, the state government is working towards connecting the two popular tourist destinations – Dehradun and Mussoorie – by India’s longest passenger aerial ropeway measuring 5,500m in the coming years. This ropeway will cut travel time between the two cities from 1.5 hours to just 15 minutes. Featuring 10-seater diamond cabins, it will accommodate 1,300 passengers per hour in each direction.

As per the latest statistics available with UTDB, the state welcomed 20 million domestic tourists in 2021 while a meagre 15,410 international tourists visited the state in the same year.

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Despite calamities, Uttarakhand decides no cap on char dham tourists

The yatra that starts in May continues till the first week of September

Despite multiple landslides that have blocked the route for pilgrims, the Uttarakhand government has decided that there will be no cap on the number of pilgrims visiting the dhams till September first week.

In a meeting held with purohits from the teerths, officials, hotel association members, tour operators, transporters and trade associations, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that registrations will be permitted on the spot as well. “There will be no limit to the number of such registrations,” he said. These registrations are in addition to the online registrations that are mandatory for the yatra.

The yatra that starts in May continues till the first week of September when the temperatures fall and the deities are also carried away from the temples.

Offline registrations will be available at Rishikesh, Haridwar; and at the main stopping points at Badrinath and Kedarnath. The latter means that there is every possibility that the crowds will far outstrip the already stretched carrying capacity of these pilgrimage centres.

As per the latest government bulletin, nine lakh plus tourists have been to Badrinath till August 16. More than one lakh vehicles have reached Badrinath. According to the government’s own numbers, parking facilities available en route the dhams can cater to just over 700 vehicles.

On the night of July 31, the 19 kilometre Kedarnath access road for on-foot pilgrims caved in at 29 places. The pilgrims stranded on the road were rescued by helicopter services and with the help of locals. It took 15 days and 260 labourers to build the tourist path again, and despite that a few places are still not repaired.

The state government has decided that the dhams can accommodate 12,000 pilgrims per day but in 2018, a Supreme Court-appointed committee recommended a daily limit of 5,000 pilgrims to Kedarnath. There is also great discrepancy in the capacity for other teerths including Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.

In an investor summit in 2023, the state government had put forth a figure of 15 per cent as the contribution of the tourism sector to the state’s GDP. The state also intends to invite investments worth Rs 20,000 crore in the sector and take up 200 projects in the PPP mode by 2030.

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