PM Modi pitches for round the year tourism in U'khand

Making a strong pitch for round the year tourism in Uttarakhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said there should be no off-season in the picturesque hill state and this would strengthen its economy in a big way.

- Press Trust of India

HARSIL:

Addressing a rally in Harsil after offering prayers at the village of Mukhwa, the winter abode of Goddess Ganga in Uttarkashi district, he said visitors will get the true flavour of Uttarakhand if they come to the state in winter.

"When fog envelops the rest of the country during winter, the state is bathed in sunlight," Modi said as he coined a new term - "Ghaam Tapo Paryatan" (soak the sun tourism) -- in Garhwali language for winter tourism in the state.

Praising the state government for its 12-month tourism vision, he stressed the need for a "360-degree approach to tourism" to create employment opportunities for the local youth throughout the year.

After doing business in summer, hotels, resorts and home-stays in the hills of Uttarakhand become empty during winter, slowing down its economy, Modi said. Tourism should be on in all seasons, there should be no off-season, the prime minister said, adding winter tourism will help Uttarakhand realise its full economic potential.