Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government would reduce the special road tax (SRT) and other taxes levied on tourist buses, tempo travellers and commercial tourist vehicles. The government is seriously considering revising the recently issued notification in view of SRT. The chief minister was talking to the delegation of Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association at Oak Over here today.
The government will also set up a tourist helpline to be linked with already existing 1100 helpline number and was considering making the home-stay policy soon for the convenience of tourists, he said, adding that besides air connectivity the road infrastructure in the state was also being strengthened and the work to connect all the districts with heliports was in progress and the government mulls to construct another heliport in shimla to increase the footfall of the tourists and enhance the tourism activities. The focus is on increasing the footfall of tourists to 5 crore per year in the state, he reiterated.
To ensure longer stay of the tourists in the state, the tourist destinations will be equipped with world class facilities, he said, adding that the UV/ultra filtration technology will also be used in a phased manner to provide pure drinking water to the tourists and the people of the state.
The Chief Minister urged those associated with the tourism industry to ensure their participation and cooperation in making Himachal Pradesh ‘a green and a clean state’.
{{/usCountry}}The Chief Minister urged those associated with the tourism industry to ensure their participation and cooperation in making Himachal Pradesh ‘a green and a clean state’.
{{/usCountry}}Shimla Hotel and tourism stakeholders’ association president Mahinder Seth placed forth the various demands of the association.