Garhwal Post Bureau
Ahmedabad/Dehradun, 6 Aug: Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj said today that the state is emerging as India’s leading destination for adventure tourism, with the Adi Kailash Parikrama Ultra Run, scheduled from 20 to 25 October 2026 in Pithoragarh gaining recognition as one of the world’s toughest high-altitude Himalayan endurance events.
Speaking at the Travel & Tourism Fair (TTF) at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Ahmedabad, Maharaj said Uttarakhand is more than a pilgrimage destination—it is a unique blend of spirituality, nature, culture, and adventure. He said the state government is working to expand its tourism identity beyond the Char Dham Yatra by promoting spiritual, adventure, wellness and yoga, rural, eco, homestay, and border tourism.
The minister said that, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vibrant Villages Programme, the Uttarakhand Government, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, is connecting border villages with tourism and livelihood opportunities so that local communities directly benefit from tourism-led development.
Highlighting the state’s tourism initiatives, Maharaj said the rapid growth of registered homestays has strengthened the rural economy by creating self-employment opportunities for local youth and women while offering visitors an authentic cultural experience. He also noted that Aadhaar-based and e-KYC-enabled registration has made the Char Dham Yatra safer, more organised, and more transparent through the use of modern technology.
Emphasising the long-standing cultural and emotional ties between Gujarat and Uttarakhand, Maharaj invited travel operators, tour agencies, investors, and media representatives to promote Uttarakhand not just as a tourist destination but as a complete Himalayan experience.
The event was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, and tourism officials from various states.
