Major Facilities The State Government has several proposals for investment in Maharana Pratap Sagar Bilaspur-Una-Hamirpur-Kangra sector by private sector. Land has been identified adjoining Gobind Sagar and Maharana Pratap Sagar lakes. This area is ideal for setting up of amusement parks, herbal gardens, lake resorts and floriculture. The entire belt is dotted with numerous religious places which can be developed for tourists. This area is also ideally suited to adventure sports, water sports, wild life and eco-tourism. The Judge's Court in Pragpur, in this sector, has been declared a Heritage Village; and Masroor, a site of ancient rock-cut temples are located in this sector. Similarly, Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur and Kangra are also doted with places like Baba Barbagh Singh and Deot-Sidh, along with Shaktipeeths like Naina Devi, Chintpurni, Jwalamukhi and Chamunda Devi.
International Standard Facilities for Tourists in Tribal Areas The tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh are known for natural beauty and have recently been opened up to foreign tourists. Foreigners can visit this area in groups of four or more. Focus has been shifted to provide clean international standard facilities for tourists visiting this area. This area has also been opened up for private sector investors for creation of facilities for tourists. Ancient Buddhist Monastery of Tabo in Spiti famous for its fine paintings has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Ropeways and Ski Resorts Another area which has been opened for large investments, is the development of ski-resorts, lakes and ropeways. A ski-resort is proposed near Chanshal range, which is one of the largest ranges for skiing in the country. Another beautiful area identified for ski-resort alongwith a couple of ropeways is the area above Solang in Kullu Valley. The state government is committed to provide all assistance in terms of clearances including forest clearance. Of course, our emphasis is to develop tourism facilities in such a way so that the fragile ecology of the State is preserved and is not tampered with. There are many other ropeway projects identified in Himachal Pradesh. These are Kullu to Bijli Mahadev (in Kullu), Mandi to Tarna (in Mandi town), Dharamkot to Triund (in Dharamshala), Narkanda to Hattu Peak and Tara Devi to Shimla (in Shimla). These are ready for private sector investment. Heritage Properties Himachal has an enormous range of heritage properties. Many of these are ancient forts and some of these are colonial mansions and palaces from an era gone by. A stamp of opulent life style of pre-independence elites who once occupied them are still evident. Many of these heritage properties have been converted into hotesl and other commercial properties. Some others are still being developed. Big hotels chain may be interested in some of these properties are for being developed. Some colonial buildings in places such as Kasauli and Dalhousie too have a potential for development as Heritage hotels on the lines of Rajasthan where heritage properties have been developed with active participation of private sector.
Adventure Sports Himachal Pradesh has excellent scope for adventure tourism. Rafting, para-gliding, hang gliding, white water rafting, mountaineering and trekking are some of the options available. There are 270 identified treks in Himachal which are utilised by domestic and foreign tourists. Trekking equipment is also made available by the tourism department to interested tourists. Regional branch of Himalyan Mountaineering Institute, Dharamshala is also playing important role in this. National and international organised groups such as Excursion from London send tourists for trekking to Himachal Pradesh. Himachal is full of beautiful places many of them are totally unexplored and unknown and hold immense interest for the tourists. Private sector can also play a big role in the provision of appropriate transport arrangements for tourists.
Civil Aviation Civil Aviation is very important area for private sector investment. At present the state is offering three airports for private sector participation. These airports are Banikhet in Chamba district, Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district and Sunder Nagar in Mandi district. In addition, the private sector is also welcome to give proposals for starting helicopter services within and outside the state so as to improve accessibility to and within the state.
Guidelines for Essentiality certificate
Home stay Scheme 2008
Tourist Statistics-2004 to 2009.