Govt working to make Har attractive destination for tourists

Chandigarh: The Haryana government is working to make the state an attractive destination for tourists from India and abroad through new technology, better facilities and local participation, Heritage and Tourism Minister Dr Arvind Kumar Sharma said on Sunday.

Haryana’s heritage is ancient, but its approach to tourism is modern, the minister said. Sharma said the Haryana government is working to give the state’s tourism a new identity by bringing together the heritage of the ‘Mahabharata’ and the ‘Gita’ in Kurukshetra, the historic gardens of Pinjore, the rich craft tradition of Surajkund, the hills of Morni, the historical heritage of Narnaul-Mahendragarh and the Haryanvi culture of its villages.

Work is also underway to explore developing Surajkund as a cultural centre that remains active throughout the year, he said. On World Tourism Day on Sunday, Sharma said the state government is working to ensure that tourists do not merely pass through Haryana, but stay, explore the state, experience its culture and heritage closely, and return with memorable experiences that make them eager to visit again. In line with this vision, the state government’s new message for tourists is ‘’Ghooman Aao, Haryana Dekho”. Tourism is not merely a means of travel and recreation, but an important avenue for generating employment, strengthening the local economy and promoting the state’s cultural identity, he added.

Therefore, the government is focusing on connecting tourism not just with hotels and tourism complexes, but also with local people, farmers, artisans, guides, taxi operators, restaurants and small businesses, he said. Haryana is moving beyond traditional highway tourism to promote heritage, spiritual and pilgrimage, eco, adventure, rural and farm tourism, homestays, golf, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) and cultural tourism.

For this purpose, 20 tourism hubs and destination areas have been identified in the state, Sharma said. The Haryana Tourism Corporation currently has a network of 42 tourism complexes, comprising 842 air-conditioned rooms, eight dormitories and 56 conference, multipurpose, banquet and convention halls. Thecorporation also operates 42 restaurants, five fast-food centres and 15 petrol pumps.