Himachal Pradesh Unveils Groundbreaking SheTravel Policy to Empower Women Solo Travelers
In a bold move to enhance state revenue and promote safe solo travel for women, the Himachal Pradesh government's tourism department is preparing to launch the innovative 'SheTravel Policy, 2026'. This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to transform Himachal into India's premier destination for female solo travelers by doubling their current share from approximately 18% to 35% by 2028.
Comprehensive Safety Measures with SheShield App
The policy introduces the 'SheShield' safety app, a critical tool developed in partnership with the state's IT department. This app features a one-touch SOS system directly connected to Himachal Police, along with verified lodging options and community escort services. It will provide safety ratings for accommodations, trekking trails, and transport operators, and allow users to submit anonymous incident reports, ensuring a secure travel experience.
Infrastructure and Training Initiatives
To support this vision, the policy outlines several key infrastructure and training goals:
- Register and certify over 2,000 female-friendly accommodations as 'SheStays' by 2028.
- Establish 12 gender-responsive tourism hubs, one in each district, specifically for women travelers.
- Train 5,000 women as trekking guides, homestay operators, tour leaders, and safety marshals by 2028.
- Deploy 500 trained female tourist safety marshals, known as 'SheGuards', at major tourism spots by 2027.
Governance and Financial Commitments
The policy also emphasizes governance reforms, including:
- Ensuring 40% representation of women in all tourism advisory and governance bodies.
- Creating the HP Women's Tourism Fund with an annual corpus of Rs 50 crore to support initiatives.
- Conducting a mandatory annual gender audit of tourism infrastructure, positioning Himachal as India's first state to implement such a measure.
- Performing a gender-sensitive safety audit of over 200 major tourist spots within the first year of implementation.
Official Insights and Market Potential
A tourism department official highlighted that safety is the top priority for the policy's success. "It's a huge market, and to make our policy successful, we are going to focus on making women travelling alone feel safe and secure by improving the safety infrastructure, creating women-friendly accommodations, and increasing the participation and representation of women in the industry. Our plus point is that Himachal is already considered a safe place for women travelers," said the official.
Himachal Pradesh attracts an average of 16 million visitors annually, with the highest footfall in Kullu district, followed by Shimla, Solan, and Kangra. Despite this, women solo travelers currently constitute only 18% of visitors, indicating significant untapped potential.
Stakeholder Engagement and Implementation
Kullu district tourism development officer Rohit Sharma noted that meetings are underway with industry stakeholders to ensure smooth policy implementation. "We started holding meetings with the leaders of various associations from the tourism industry to seek their help and also to get their feedback on the policy. While the vision document was launched, the policy is expected to be rolled out in the near future," Sharma explained.
This comprehensive approach aims to not only boost tourism revenue but also foster a more inclusive and secure environment for women exploring the scenic beauty of Himachal Pradesh.
