Rebirth of Visitor Travel: Himachal Pradesh's Modernizing Tourism Industry
Rebooting Himachal Pradesh: A Fresh Perspective for Tourism and HealthcareBy RITESH SOOD || Business Head, Himalayan Saga
Himachal Pradesh, renowned for its ethereal landscapes and enchanting culture, is missing out on an immense opportunity in the high-end tourism market. The focus has traditionally been on promoting Shimla, Dharamshala, and to a lesser extent, Manali. But it's time we embrace change and present Himachal 2.0 – a revamped, revitalized version of the state as a premier destination for discerning travelers and medical tourists alike.
Post COVID-19, the travel industry will undergo a transformation, where hygiene, health, and safety will be of paramount importance. To attract visitors, it's crucial that we strengthen our medical infrastructure to address these new priorities:
Elevating Healthcare Facilities
In the post-COVID era, having world-class medical services will give travelers the confidence to visit and explore Himachal. However, it is disheartening that our state lacks super specialty hospitals, save for the recently-established Fortis in Kangra.
Moving forward, we should prioritize establishing super-specialty hospitals in key destinations such as Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Chamba, as well as developing health centers in remote areas like Tirthan, Kinnaur, Spiti, and Lahaul. In addition, we should focus on air ambulance services and all-weather evacuation systems for remote valleys and mountainous regions, essential during the summer months.
Understanding Tourist Trends
To cater to the needs of our international visitors, we need to gather insights about their preferences, habits, and behaviors. A comprehensive survey of the tourism landscape in Himachal would help us foster a more holistic approach to policy-making and product design, considering factors like travel patterns, spending habits, and popular activities.
Lower-Cost, Higher-Yield Strategies
Given the continued uncertainty around global travel and the looming threat of the virus, it's essential we target shorter holiday-seekers from neighboring countries or regions like the Middle East and South East Asia. This strategy would allow for more affordable travel options and minimize costs.
Chandigarh and Amritsar airports, closest to Himachal, should be prominent in our marketing efforts. Collaborating with airlines from these regions would ensure increased flight frequency and attract more tourists.
Enhancing Connectivity within Himachal
"Roads lead to experiences," as the saying goes, and a well-connected Himachal would bring travelers closer to these transformative moments. We should strive to improve the quality of existing roads and build new ones, ensuring that major destinations are within a six-hour driving radius. Interests stops along the way would help break long journeys and add to the overall travel experience.
Embracing Himalayan Heritage and Culture
Himachal offers a rich heritage and unique cultural experiences that must be showcased to the world. By developing specialized circuits around these elements, we can present the state as a destination that seamlessly blends history, tradition, and natural beauty.
We should focus on building circuits that cater to:
- Himalayan Heritage and Culture
- Hiking and Trekking Trails
- Cycling Routes
- Motorcycle Tours
- Mountaineering Expeditions
- Skiing Resorts
Gone are the days of the status quo – it's time to revamp our approach to tourism and embrace a fresh, new era for Himachal Pradesh. By focusing on infrastructure development, enhancing our healthcare services, and prioritizing the Himalayan lifestyle, we can elevate our position as a premier tourist destination.
References:[1] https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/himachal-getting-30-bedded-esic-hospital-in-kala-amb-336908[2] https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north/himachal-study/847017.html[3] https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/himachal-government-to-develop-69-adarsh-swasthya-sanstan-health-institutions-336051[4] https://www.filmfare.com/travel/himachal-pradesh-itinerary-how-to-plan-holidays-during-covid-19-in-the-hill-state-883245/[5] https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health-fitness/30-bed-esic-hospital-opened-in-kala-amb-himachal-pradesh-7420088/[6] https://www.travelandleisure.com/destinations/asia/magical-india-tourist-attractions
1.To make Himachal Pradesh a preferred destination for travelers and medical tourists, we should consider offering unique homestays that reflect the state's culture and way of life, apart from strengthening medical infrastructure.
- As sustainability becomes increasingly important in the travel industry, promoting health-and-wellness initiatives at homestays and destinations could attract discerning travelers and align with the lifestyle trends of today.
- To support the financial growth of local businesses in Himachal Pradesh, partnerships could be formed with financial institutions to provide incentives and resources for homestays, sustainable tourism, and health-and-wellness projects.
