ADB okays $162 m loan for Himachal tourism projects
Asian Development Bank (ADB) today approved a USD 162 million loan to support tourism development projects in Himachal Pradesh.
ADB, Senior Project Officer, Vivek Vishal said that this project would enhance the state’s tourism potential by upgrading and preserving heritage and cultural sites, establishing new facilities, and strengthening the tourism sector.
The ADB loan would also support sustainable and inclusive tourism development projects in the state. These projects would promote heritage and cultural centres in the districts of Mandi and Hamirpur, restore the Naggar Castle in Kullu, beautify public spaces and modern tourist facilities, construct a convention centre and facilities in Kangra, and improve wayside amenities in Kullu, Hamirpur and Kangra districts.
These improvements would incorporate green solutions such as solar lighting and electric vehicles and would also cater to the needs of the elderly, women, children and persons with disabilities. “The project will also help develop wellness centres, tourist recreation facilities, adventure sports centres, water park complexes and biking trails. These new establishments and facilities will provide employment opportunities to communities and boost the local economy,” the ADB said.
The bank would help strengthen the institutional capacity of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board to develop a tourism strategy and marketing plan. The project would strengthen district-level tourism management so that they could develop strategic destination development plans and improve tourist destination management.
