Chief Minister to inaugurate Tourism Conclave and Shimla Mega Mart on 3 June
The Tourism Conclave and Shimla Mega Mart beginning on 3 June shall be inaugurated by the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal in the evening at Gaiety Theatre, Shimla. Various diplomats and entrepreneurs are participating in this Conclave besides higher officers of the State Government.
Dr. Arun Kumar, IAS, Director Tourism and Deputy Commissioner Shimla, during a press conference organised by PHD Chamber stated that the “tourism Industry in Himachal Pradesh has been given very high priority and the Government has developed an appropriate infrastructure for its development. Department of Tourism has taken a unique initiative of development of heritage and rural tourism in the state. ‘Har Gaon Ki kahani’ and ‘Har Ghar kuchh Kehta hai’ are some of the initiatives which are aimed to develop rural tourism. The State Government is poised to transform the State into A Destination for All Seasons and All Reasons ". He added that “while the exhibition will provide an opportunity to local entrepreneurs, artisans to promote their products and services to tourists, the tourism conclave shall have host of speakers deliberating on sessions ranging from Tourism, Infrastructure Development, and Energy Conservation etc.
“A report Titled “Tourism in Himachal Pradesh and the Way Ahead” prepared by PHD Chamber and KPMG shall also be released during the Inaugural Function. The report contains information on major tourist destinations, tourist inflow, tourism infrastructure, case studies of other states, the way forward etc.”, Informed Dalip Sharma, Regional Director, PHD Chamber while interacting with media.
It is a well known fact that Himachal offers clean and pollution-free environment, mountains, valleys, lakes, rivers, streams, rich flora and fauna, peace and tranquility to the visitors. Hence tourism is poised to become the principal industry of the State. “We are quite hopeful that the deliberations at the Conclave will go a long way in promoting tourism and industrial development of the State”, stated Dhian Chand, Member Managing committee, PHD Chamber .
Khurshid Barlas of Pak World Trade Expo said that 32 Pakistani exhibitors will be showcasing their products in Shimla Mega Mart. He added that Pakistani traders want to visit India and this will help to strengthen the bilateral trade between India and Pakistan. He also said that apart from business visa, there should be a provision of Tourist Visa.
Apart from the Chief Minister Prof.P. K. Dhumal, Himachal Pradesh, Sudripta Roy, Chief Secretary, HP; Sandip Somany, President, PHD Chamber; Susmita Shekhar, Secretary General, PHD Chamber, Richard Rekhy, Head Advisory, KPMG, Scot Slessor, Consulate General Canada, Ambrish Jaipuria, Chairman Tourism Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Inder Sharma, Chairman, Select Holiday Resorts Ltd and Sr. Vice President, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Pakistan etc. are expected to attend and address the inaugural session according to the programme chalked out by the Chamber.
