To boost tourism and create self-employment opportunities, the Himachal Pradesh government has launched the ‘Chief Minister Tourism startup scheme in Hospitality Industry’.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening the hospitality sector while encouraging entrepreneurship in the state.
Under the scheme, financial relief will be extended on loans taken for establishing new tourism units, such as homestays, as well as for upgrading and expanding existing ventures.
The government will provide an interest subsidy of 3 percent in urban areas, 4 percent in rural areas, and 5 percent in tribal areas on loans up to Rs. 2 crore, for a maximum of three years from the date of loan disbursement. This facility will be available only to Bonafide Himachalis.
A government spokesperson said that homestays have emerged as a vital part of Himachal’s tourism economy by offering affordable alternatives to hotels, attracting budget travelers, backpackers, and students.
They not only make tourism more accessible but also encourage longer stays in rural areas, ensuring that local communities benefit directly. Homestays also provide authentic cultural experiences by allowing visitors to engage with local cuisine, traditions, and customs, thereby promoting sustainable travel.
The spokesperson added that the scheme is expected to create new avenues of self-employment and enhance economic activities across the state.
“This initiative will significantly boost urban, rural, and offbeat tourism while also formalizing the homestay economy and improving quality standards in hospitality ventures,” he said.
Highlighting the state’s natural and cultural assets, he noted that Himachal Pradesh continues to attract visitors with its pristine environment, rivers, forests, sacred shrines, and scenic valleys The tourism and hospitality sector currently contributes 7.78 percent to the State’s Gross Domestic Product, as per the Economic Survey 2024-25.
The scheme, he said, reflects the Government’s commitment to promoting sustainable tourism by engaging private entrepreneurs in developing tourism infrastructure without disturbing the ecological balance.
By tapping into the potential of culturally rich rural areas and providing financial support to local entrepreneurs, the government aims to further position Himachal Pradesh as a leading tourism destination in the country.