Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) Chairman Raghuvir Bali said that the state government has prioritized tourism development under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, resulting in significant growth in the sector despite limited resources.
Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Bali stated that since assuming office, the department has improved the management of tourism assets and increased turnover from ₹80 crore to ₹110 crore, even while hotel renovation works were ongoing.
He said special emphasis has been placed on upgrading inherited tourism properties to enhance visitor experience and boost revenue. Renovation work is currently underway at three hotels in Manali, while ₹45 crore will be invested in the HHH Hotel project. Additional investments include ₹70 crore under Phase-2 projects, ₹20 crore for Hotel Hamir, and ₹35 crore for Hotel Jwalamukhi.
According to Bali, approximately ₹250 crore will be invested in various tourism infrastructure projects over the next two to three years to strengthen the state’s tourism ecosystem.
Highlighting infrastructure expansion, he said nearly ₹2,000 crore has already been spent on the Kangra airport project, which is expected to generate significant local employment opportunities. Helipads worth ₹10 crore each are also being developed in Palampur, Hamirpur, and Dehra to improve connectivity.
He further announced that tenders for major projects worth ₹160 crore will be floated on April 6, including the state’s largest tourism project at Nagrota Bagwan aimed at developing Himachal Pradesh as a premier wedding destination.
Bali added that while hotel renovations temporarily impact revenue, they are expected to significantly increase earnings in the long run. The department has also controlled operational expenses and launched new initiatives, including a partnership with MakeMyTrip that secured an advance of ₹2 crore.
He noted that nearly 60 state-run hotels require major upgrades and the government is working toward large-scale investments to improve their condition. Relief in entry tax for smaller vehicles is also expected to increase tourist footfall in the state.
Thanking the Central Government for its support, Bali urged greater financial allocation for Himachal Pradesh to further develop the state as a leading tourism destination and strengthen its identity as “Devbhoomi.”
