Dharamsala hoteliers urge tourists to rediscover safe, scenic Kangra hills
In a bid to restore normalcy and boost tourism following recent disturbances, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Dharamsala, along with the Dharamsala Vyapar Mandal, has extended a warm invitation to tourists to visit the tranquil Kangra hills.
At a press conference, association president Ashwani Bamba reassured travellers that the situation in Kangra is stable and safe. “All is well in Kangra,” he said, stressing the importance of reviving tourist confidence and rejuvenating the struggling hospitality sector.
With the summer season underway and weeks remaining until June end, Bamba urged the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department and district administration to ramp up promotional efforts. He emphasised a coordinated campaign to counter negative perceptions and encourage tourism.
To aid this effort, the Association is developing a dedicated website to showcase Kangra’s vibrant culture, traditional art, and local cuisine. This portal will serve as a one-stop destination for tourists to explore the region’s unique offerings.
Bamba highlighted the success of Uttarakhand, which welcomed around 8 crore tourists last year—far surpassing Himachal Pradesh’s 1.8 crore visitors. He proposed adopting a similar strategy by connecting Kangra’s Shaktipeeths into a spiritual circuit, akin to Uttarakhand’s ‘Char Dham Yatra,’ to boost pilgrimage tourism.
Anuj Kashyap, president of the Dharamsala Vyapar Mandal, supported these suggestions and called for unified messaging from both government and local stakeholders. He emphasised that with proactive measures, Kangra can once again attract domestic and international tourists, revitalizing the state’s tourism economy.
