Expansion of Tourism in Himachal Pradesh: An Economic Analysis

Abstract

Himachal Pradesh is a state that is blessed with many beauties like hill covered with snow, floating river, green tree, honest people, pleasant weather and unforgettable destination. So, they are prosperous in terms of tourist arrival from abroad and from own country. Tourism occupies an important place in the economy of Himachal Pradesh. The Government of Himachal Pradesh has given a main priority to tourism industry. Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation is trying to promote various tourism activities in Himachal Pradesh. The state has a vast scope of tourism development as every place in the Pradesh has some ancient, historical, legend attached to it. In the present study, an attempt has been made to study the development of tourism in Himachal Pradesh. The number of domestic and foreign tourists visited the state is increasing every year. Tourism is providing direct and indirect employment opportunities as well as generating income to the state. However, it also has some disadvantages as tourism is responsible for various types of social problems. But timebound efforts can be made to meet out the challenges, so that more and more tourists could visit freely. There is a need to carry out an expensive survey of the tourist resources of the state on scientific basis. The Himachal Pradesh Department of Tourism and Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation should concentrate on rural tourism, agri-tourism and eco-friendly tourism.