Garhwal Post Bureau
Uttarkashi, 14 Jan: In a significant initiative aimed at promoting the Winter Char Dham Yatra and tourism activities, and connecting local communities with year-round employment, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the three-day Winter Tourism Conclave, here, today.
The conclave witnessed participation of 50 tour operators from various states across the country in collaboration with the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI). In addition, 50 tour operators from the state level and 50 from the local level also participated. Registered representatives of the Hotel Association of Uttarkashi and Barkot, trekking organisations from Uttarkashi and Sankri, actively participated in the programme. Through deliberations held at NIM, the conclave focused on exploring the potential of winter tourism and emphasised developing Uttarakhand as a year-round tourism destination.
As part of the three-day conclave, tour operators from across the country will visit Maa Ganga’s winter abode at Mukhba, Maa Yamuna’s winter abode at Kharsali, and the Kedarkantha trek base camp at Sankri, thereby promoting winter tourism.
Addressing the Winter Tourism Conclave, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the winter tourism conference is not merely a formal dialogue, but a collective effort to give a new direction to tourism in Uttarakhand. He welcomed and encouraged tour operators, travel agents, hotel entrepreneurs, homestay operators, representatives of taxi and transport unions, and stakeholders associated with adventure tourism.
The Chief Minister said that today major cities of the country are grappling with pollution, rising temperatures, traffic congestion, and stress. In such a scenario, Uttarakhand has the potential to emerge as the country’s “Natural Healing Destination”, and the government is continuously working in this direction. He emphasised that Uttarakhand is no longer limited to the Char Dham Yatra alone, but is moving towards becoming a major hub for wellness, nature-based tourism, adventure tourism, culture, yoga, meditation, and sustainable tourism.
Highlighting the crucial role of tour operators, the Chief Minister said that creating trends and branding destinations lies in their hands. He stated that the time has come to make Uttarakhand not a 4- or 6-month tourism state, but a 12-month tourism destination. He added that the objective of the state’s winter tourism policy is to ensure that hills do not remain deserted, hotels do not shut down, taxis do not remain idle, homestays are not left vacant, and youth are not forced to migrate in search of employment. Year-round tourism activity will also bring substantial improvement in the state’s economy.
Interacting with all tourism stakeholders, the Chief Minister assured that the government is fully prepared to provide support at every level—be it permissions, connectivity, infrastructure, or marketing assistance. He further informed that through the Tourism Department, the Single Window System, digital approvals, and fast-track support for investors are being further strengthened.
The Chief Minister said that tourism does not merely mean big hotels; rather, it becomes meaningful when village women’s homestays are occupied, local youth operate taxis, young hill residents work as trekking guides, folk artists get platforms, and farmers’ products reach tourists directly. With this objective, the government has simplified the homestay policy, connected women through the Lakhpati Didi scheme, launched local guide training programmes, and integrated “Vocal for Local” with tourism.
Emphasising environmental and cultural preservation, the Chief Minister stated that the government seeks development, but not at the cost of destruction. Environmental protection, conservation of local culture, and connecting the last person in the village with tourism form the core of the government’s responsible tourism model. He urged all tour operators to include destinations such as Uttarkashi, Harsil, Mukhba, Nelang, Chamoli, Auli, Munsiyari, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Tehri, Pauri, Rudraprayag, and border villages in their tourism packages. He said, “You create the packages; the government stands firmly with you.”
Sending a message to youth and investors, the Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand is fully prepared for investment, as tourism here is not just a business but the largest engine of employment. He emphasised that the government’s goal is to ensure work for hotel owners, homestay operators, taxi drivers, and travel agents, and to provide identity and recognition to every village.
On the occasion, Gangotri MLA Suresh Chauhan, Purola MLA Durgeshwar Lal, Minister of State ranked Ramsunder Nautiyal, Jagat Singh Chauhan, BJP State Vice President Dr Swaraj Vidwan, State Media In-charge Manveer Chauhan, Garhwal Coordinator Kishor Bhatt, BJP District President Nagendra Chauhan, former MLA Vijaypal Sajwan, District Magistrate Prashant Arya, Superintendent of Police Kamlesh Upadhyay, Chief Development Officer Jaybharat Singh, Registrar NIM Vishal Ranjan, District Tourism Development Officer KK Joshi, along with other officials and public representatives, were also present.
