130th Meeting of the Board of Directors of HPTDC held in Shimla. In the meeting, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said that Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, will create International Level Convention facilities at Kiarighat, on Shimla-Kalka National Highway, to facilitate hosting of International conventions and attract high end tourists, especially from the multi-national companies to visit Himachal Pradesh.
Chief Minister said that the State had successfully attracted tourists from the world over to visit different places in the State during preceding years and had now been endeavouring to attract high end tourists by creating required infrastructural facilities to cater to their requirements. He said that to begin with, an International Level Convention Centre was being developed at Kiarighat which would be followed by motivating private players to create world class tourism infrastructure in the State. He said that additionally, convention facilities were being added to the existing infrastructure of Peterhoff Hotel in Shimla. He said that the Tourism Development Corporation had been the pioneer in hospitality industry in the State and its infrastructure and services were being upgraded to match world class industry. He said that possibilities would also be explored to erect escalators in Shimla town in association with Tourism Department besides connecting main market with old bus stand to facilitate movement of tourists.
Prof. Dhumal said that the State Government had launched ‘Har Gaon Ki Kahani’ and ‘Home Stay Scheme’ with a view to diversify tourism activities from renowned tourist destinations to lesser known unexplored areas so that tourists were acquainted with the traditional hospitality of Himachal Pradesh as well as to make them familiar with life style of hill people. He said that more luxury coaches were being added to the existing fleet of the Corporation so that journey of the visitors to Himachal Pradesh was made more comfortable and memorable. He said that Himachal Pradesh was known for its warm hospitality and tourism had been the appropriate platform to exhibit the same in right perspective. He underlined the need for adopting professional approach towards delivery of services and in carrying forward with its activities so that income was generated to the Corporation. He said that unexplored tourist destinations needed to be marketed to the outside world so that tourism could emerge a household affair. He directed the Management to carry rationalization and performance based incentives to the employees so that a spirit of competitiveness was inculcated amongst them within the hospitality industry.
Lokender Chauhan, Managing Director of the Corporation, welcomed the Chief Minister and conducted proceedings of the Meeting. He said that the Corporation was committed to deliver its customers quality and traditional Himachali hospitality services so that they were attracted to visit the State again and again.
Chief Secretary S.Roy, Dr. Srikant Baldi, Principal Secretary, Finance, Ajay Mittal, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Narender Atri, Prof. S.P.Bansal, Non-Official Members, Yogesh Behl, GM, HPTDC and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
