Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio broadcast to shine a spotlight on Uttarakhand's rapidly growing tourism sector, particularly emphasizing the state's potential in winter tourism, adventure sports, and as a premium wedding destination.
Uttarakhand's Winter Tourism Transformation
During his address on Sunday, the Prime Minister dedicated nearly two and a half minutes specifically to discussing Uttarakhand's tourism achievements. He revealed that winter tourism in the Himalayan state is attracting a large number of visitors, with popular destinations including Auli, Munsiyari, Dayara, and Chopta gaining significant popularity during the colder months.
The Prime Minister highlighted the remarkable growth in visitor numbers to Adi Kailash, noting that annual visits have surged from just 2,000 people three years ago to approximately 30,000 visitors today. This represents a fifteen-fold increase in tourism to the sacred site.
Adventure Sports and Infrastructure Development
PM Modi specifically mentioned Uttarakhand's first high-altitude ultra-run marathon conducted recently near Adi Kailash in Pithoragarh. The event took place at an elevation of 14,500 feet and attracted more than 750 athletes from 18 different states. Despite the challenging 60-km Adi Kailash Parikrama Run beginning at 5am in freezing temperatures, participants displayed remarkable enthusiasm.
The state government has been actively working to improve tourism infrastructure, with enhanced connectivity and facilities specifically designed to boost winter tourism. As part of these efforts, Uttarakhand has introduced a new homestay policy to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
Wedding Destinations and Economic Impact
Branding Uttarakhand as an emerging wedding destination, the Prime Minister emphasized how the golden winter sunshine and mist-laden mountains are making the state increasingly popular for destination weddings. Celebrations along the banks of the Ganga have seen a significant increase, creating new economic opportunities for local communities.
Uttarakhand is set to host the Uttarakhand Winter Games in the coming weeks, generating excitement among athletes, adventure enthusiasts, and sports lovers across the country. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has been making dedicated efforts to promote winter tourism, including operating winter pilgrimages and actively marketing the state as a wedding destination.
CM Dhami expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, calling him "the biggest brand ambassador of Uttarakhand tourism". He noted that every visit by PM Modi to Uttarakhand gives a fresh boost to tourism, with previous visits to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Adi Kailash, and Jageshwar Dham resulting in manifold increases in pilgrim numbers.
The state government has committed to advancing Uttarakhand as a hub of natural, spiritual, and adventure tourism in alignment with the Prime Minister's vision, creating sustainable development and livelihood opportunities for local residents across the Himalayan valleys.
