By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 12 Oct: Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj participated in the Swadesh Tourism Conclave organised by Balaji Foundation at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. He said that tourists from all over the world are attracted to India in large numbers today.
Maharaj said that a large number of tourists are coming to Uttarakhand, too. As compared to the last several years, the number of tourists in Uttarakhand was much bigger this year. While Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand is making its mark in the fields of yoga and tourism along with spirituality, it is also carving out a unique identity in adventure tourism all over the world. Tourists are arriving in large numbers in Mussoorie, Nainital, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri, Champawat, Harshil, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag and Chamoli.
He added that, this year, the number of tourists was as follows: 15,14,714 in Badrinath, 14,25,075 in Kedarnath, 4,73,395 in Yamunotri, 6,00,140 in Gangotri and 1,90,264 in Hemkund Sahib. So far, more than 42,03,588 devotees have come on the Chardham Yatra including Hemkund, which is a record in itself.
Satpal Maharaj added that a large number of devotees are visiting Timmarsain Mahadev on the lines of Baba Amarnath. Efforts are being made to promote winter tourism when the doors of the Yamunotri and Gangotri Dhams get closed for winter.
Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Goa Tourism Minister were present on the occasion.
