The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) has achieved a historic milestone by recording a profit exceeding ₹100 crore for the first time. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced the achievement while presiding over a review meeting of the HPTDC and the Tourism Department on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister stated that the HPTDC has increased its annual turnover from ₹78 crore during the previous BJP government to ₹107 crore under the current administration, despite the challenges posed by natural disasters in the state. He attributed this success to the effective management of HPTDC hotels and restaurants, regular maintenance, and the optimal utilisation of its properties.
As a result of the improved financial health, the Corporation has cleared ₹41 crore in pension benefits over the last two and a half years, compared to ₹26 crore disbursed by the previous BJP government over five years.
The Chief Minister directed officials to further enhance services across HPTDC properties and explore leasing out vacant properties to private players on an operation and maintenance basis. He also commended the purchase agreement between HPTDC and the Food and Civil Supplies Corporation for the supply of essential materials, including ration and groceries, to HPTDC hotels.
Reviewing the developmental projects of the Tourism Department, Sukhu instructed officials to expedite work to generate maximum revenue for the state and improve infrastructure for tourists. He noted that the state government is investing ₹2,415 crore to develop better infrastructure, wayside amenities, and promote adventure sports to attract more tourists in the state.
The Chief Minister also instructed the Tourism Department to provide food vans to local entrepreneurs and launch luxury 'Hop-on, Hop-off' bus services along local tourism routes.
In addition, he also asked the department to timely complete the construction work of Shivdham project in Mandi district and beautification works around Renuka Lake to enhance their appeal to tourists. He emphasised the need for swift operationalisation of heliports to improve air connectivity to various hill stations.
Sukhu also reviewed expansion projects of Kangra, Shimla and Bhuntar airports to provide better air connectivity to the tourists boosting tourism activities in the state.
The meeting was attended by HPTDC Chairman Raghuvir Singh Bali, MLA Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar, Director of Tourism Vivek Bhatia, Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister Gopal Sharma, and other senior officials.
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