In what could be the better way to provide best hospitality to domestic and international tourists with a tourist-friendly atmosphere, Himachal government is planning to add tourism subject to the middle classes in schools, a source attending board of tourism development meeting in Dharamshala disclosed on Friday.
Tourism is the second most source of income in Himachal after apple production. Now state is planning of making tourism the religion of every resident to create a friendly atmosphere for the tourists. Plans are that books on freedom fighters of Himachal would also be taught in the schools. Also, the Himachal tourism development board has given its nod to enforce ‘quality tourism certificate’ to encourage international standards along with secure environment to the tourists. Now, each dhaba, hotel, restaurant, resort, travel agency and taxi operators will have to fulfil around 35 parameters to obtain the quality tourism certificate.
“Efforts of HP tourism development board and Manali hoteliers’ association have finally paid off and quality tourism certification scheme would be enforced soon so that our visitors would feel the world class comfort at ordinary cost,” executive member of the board Gajender Thakur said. He said that this certificate would ensure that tourists are safe and would not be defrauded.For the convenience of tourists, Manali hoteliers’ association has prepared a documentary on all famous attractions of Kullu-Manali which would be shortly available on websites of all the hotels of district. Documentary would also help advertise the tourism of the state. Former Kullu MLA Chander Sen Thakur said that Manali is the most popular hill station of the country and some firm steps are needed to be taken to develop its infrastructure and quality. “We have discussed about making Manali development authority with the tourism board and state chief minister. We hope that it would certainly raise the tourism standards in Manali,” he said.
More than 50% population of Himachal is directly or indirectly dependent on tourism. To make it a religion of new breeds, a modern hotel management and catering institute in Manali has received a green signal from government. Before this, the state has only two such institutes in Kufri and Hamirpur.
Gajender Thakur said that education, quality and hospitality are the only ways to impress the tourists from abroad and the board was planning to impart education to all hoteliers, travel agents, taxi operators and restaurant owners.
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