Shimla, Aug 31 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh plans to introduce houseboats on prominent lakes in the state on the lines of Jammu and Kashmir to attract more tourists.
‘Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has directed the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) to explore the possibility of having houseboats in the lakes to promote tourism and generate employment avenues for the local people,’ an official statement said Tuesday, quoting Dhumal.
To woo foreign tourists to the hills during the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, the HPTDC also plans to announce a special package for the visitors.
The state has already offered a week’s free hospitality to all world record holder players who choose to visit the state during the Games.
The 57 HPTDC hotels across the state have the capacity to accommodate 2,256 guests in 1,051 rooms. It also has 60 restaurants.
Himachal Pradesh attracted 11,437,155 tourists, including 400,583 foreigners, last year. Kullu and Manali are the hotspots for tourists, followed by Shimla and Dharamsala.
