Uttarkashi: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday inaugurated a three-day Winter Tourism Conclave in Uttarkashi as part of the state’s efforts to boost winter tourism and link local communities with year-round employment opportunities. The event saw active participation from 150 tour operators, including 50 from across India, 50 from the state level, and 50 local operators, organized in collaboration with the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI).
Focus on Winter Tourism and Local Engagement
The event also witnessed participation from the Uttarkashi and Barkot Hotel Associations, registered trekking organizations from Uttarkashi, and Sankri, highlighting the state’s tourism potential. During the conclave, stakeholders brainstormed ways to develop Uttarakhand as a year-round tourist destination while exploring opportunities for winter tourism.
Under the conclave’s itinerary, tour operators visited key winter destinations, including the winter flow of the Ganga at Mukhba, Yamuna at Kharsali, and the Kedarkanta trek base camp at Sankri, promoting Uttarakhand’s winter tourism circuit.
CM Dhami Highlights Year-Round Tourism Potential
Addressing the conclave, CM Dhami described the Winter Tourism Conclave as more than a formal discussion, calling it a collective effort to chart a new direction for Uttarakhand’s tourism sector. He emphasized the role of tour operators, travel agents, hotel owners, homestay operators, taxi and transport unions, and adventure tourism stakeholders in shaping tourism trends and branding destinations.
CM Dhami said that with rising pollution, traffic, and urban stress, Uttarakhand could emerge as India’s “Natural Healing Destination.” He added that the state is no longer limited to the Char Dham pilgrimage, but is fast developing as a hub for wellness, nature, adventure, culture, yoga, meditation, and sustainable tourism.
Government Support for Stakeholders and Local Economy
The Chief Minister underscored the government’s commitment to making Uttarakhand a 12-month tourism state. He stressed that policies aim to ensure that hotels remain operational, taxis are active, homestays are occupied, and youth can find local employment without migrating for work. He also highlighted the government’s support for stakeholders in areas such as permissions, connectivity, infrastructure, and marketing. A single-window system, digital approvals, and fast-track support for investors are being strengthened to facilitate tourism growth.
CM Dhami emphasized that meaningful tourism goes beyond luxury hotels, focusing on empowering local communities. He pointed to initiatives like simplified homestay policies, the “Lakhpati Didi” scheme for women, local guide training programs, and linking the “Vocal for Local” campaign to tourism. These efforts aim to ensure that villagers, local artists, youth, and farmers directly benefit from tourism-driven economic activity.
Key Takeaways
- Uttarkashi Winter Tourism Conclave includes visits to key winter pilgrimage and trekking spots.
- Focus on developing Uttarakhand as a year-round tourism state.
- Emphasis on local employment, women’s participation, and community-led tourism initiatives.
- Government support through digital approvals, single-window systems, and infrastructure facilitation.
About Uttarakhand Tourism Initiatives
Uttarakhand is actively promoting sustainable tourism through wellness, adventure, and cultural experiences. Initiatives such as homestay policies, skill development programs, and state-wide tourism conclaves aim to make tourism inclusive, economically empowering, and a driver for year-round growth in the state.
