Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday said Central government has approved a Rs 1,900 crore project for development of tourism infrastructure in rural and urban areas of Himachal Pradesh.

Disclosing about the decision, he said Economic Affairs department of Union Finance ministry Rs 1,900 crore project which would be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

“With the help of this ADB funded project, the state would be able to develop tourism in rural, unexplored areas and improve the infrastructure of the towns. It would also generate employment for the local youths and showcase Himachal as the best Natural Tourist destination state,” he said.

Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism Ram Subhag Singh made a presentation of this project in the Department of Economic Affairs today and informed that the project would be completed in duration of eight years.

The project will focus on diversification of tourism to new and rural areas by developing tourism infrastructure, create livelihood and employment opportunities (in themes like rural, adventure and ecotourism). It would also involve application of innovative models like incentive based mechanisms for community based tourism activities, augmentation of services like water supply, sewerage, solid waste, skill development related to tourism sector, advertising and marketing etc.

Thakur said that the project would increase tourist satisfaction and encourage repeat visits to the state. It would be one of the finest examples of sustainable tourism in the Himalyan states.

The project will have both hard and soft components and will include beautification of towns, development of unexplored areas, conservation and restoration of heritage buildings, infrastructure development in adventure, eco, rural tourism with emphasis on community participation and employment generation. It will train rural youth to turn as entrepreneur in tourism and allied sectors.

The project has been designed based on the detailed baseline data, study conducted of 324 sites in 12 districts of the state and suggestions obtained from about 90,000 tourists and designed in line with sustainable tourism guideline for Himalayan states.

The Union Ministry of Tourism, Union Ministry of Housing and Urban affairs and Niti Ayog have also supported the project for tourism development in Himachal Pradesh.