MANALI: Himachal Pradesh needs to expand its tourism footprint by focusing on rural tourism, homestays and agri-tourism, which can create new livelihood opportunities for local youth, farmers, orchardists and small businesses, said renowned horticulturist and Badragarh Resort & Spa Director Nakul Khullar.
Khullar was speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the Manali Expo Devalok, organised on World Tourism Day.
He said Himachal’s tourism identity should not remain confined to established tourist destinations. Its rich culture, folk traditions, agriculture, horticulture and local products could also become major attractions for visitors.
“Tourism can be linked with agriculture and horticulture to strengthen the rural economy,” Khullar said, stressing the need to promote rural, religious, cultural and adventure tourism along with homestays and farm-based tourism.
He praised the Manali Expo Devalok for showcasing Himachal’s natural beauty, traditions, culture and local products to visitors from across the country and beyond. He said such initiatives could help provide a wider platform for the state’s local economy and tourism potential.
Khullar also congratulated the organisers for the successful event and called for continued efforts to give tourism in Himachal a broader and more locally rooted direction.
District Tourism Officer Rohit Sharma and organisers Aseem Gorsi, Kamal Sharma, Sachin and Smriti Sharma welcomed Khullar with a traditional Himachali khatak and presented him a memento.
RTO Akanksha Sharma, Director MFME A.K. Gautam, District Pollution Control Officer Sunil Sharma, Himachal Agriculture Inputs Director Sanjay Bhardwaj, Dev Raj Sharma and other representatives from the tourism and allied sectors attended the ceremony.
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