Against the backdrop of an escalating influx of tourists during the holiday season, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has not only called upon tourists to adhere to established rules and regulations but also assured that, in the event of police encountering inebriated tourists, they would be escorted back to their hotels rather than being incarcerated.
Inaugurating the weeklong 'Winter Carnival' in Shimla to boost tourism in the state, Sukhu emphasized the state's commitment to facilitating a positive tourist experience. The Chief Minister acknowledged the heavy tourist footfall during the Christmas-New Year holiday week, a period crucial for Himachal Pradesh's tourism industry, which seeks to recover from economic setbacks caused by devastating floods.
Expressing the state's dedication to tourism promotion, Sukhu outlined measures taken to enhance tourist convenience, such as the operation of eating joints, dhabas, and restaurants round the clock from December 20 to January 5. The intent is to minimize any inconveniences faced by tourists during their visit.
Moreover, Sukhu announced that the 'Winter Carnival' in Shimla would become an annual event, reinforcing the state's commitment to sustaining and fostering tourism.
Highlighting the challenges posed by the substantial tourist influx, Sukhu mentioned that over 30,000 tourists had visited the state, leading to extensive traffic congestion in the hill areas, a situation widely reported on social media. Despite these challenges, the Chief Minister underscored that the state government had implemented special measures to address the needs of tourists.
In a proactive move, the police in Himachal's Lahaul and Spiti districts conducted drone surveillance on Monday as a preemptive measure to manage the law and order situation, ensure tourist safety, and optimize the traffic system in the region amid the surge of visitors arriving to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
