Chandigarh, September 29: Taking a giant leap from being a leading agrarian state to Sports Hub, Haryana, from today would also be known as one of the most preferred Tourism destination too as Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal while going on an inauguration spree inaugurated various adventure sports such as Parasailing, Paramotor and Jet Scooter in Tikkar Taal, Morni Hills under the comprehensive plan on development of adventure sports activities to promote tourism in Haryana.

With this formal inauguration done by Chief Minister today at Tikkar Taal, Morni Hills, these aero and water sports activities  have now been made operational commercially.  Required training would be provided by the Department to local Youth to develop their skills to carry out adventure activities which will not only  generate ample employment opportunities for them but would also give a major boost to the State Government’s consistent efforts towards development of tourism in Panchkula, Tikkar Taal, Morni Hills.

Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Gian Chand Gupta, MP,  Sh. Rattan Lal Kataria, Chairman, Haryana Tourism Corporation, Sh. Randhir Singh Gollen, former MLA Smt. Latika Sharma also remained present on this occasion.

Known for its lush green atmosphere, Panchkula has emerged as a major attraction for those visitors who wish to enjoy the beautiful mountain ranges that cross through Panchkula. Therefore in view of promoting Haryanvi culture across the country and globe, the Chief Minister also released a brochure highlighting the key features of State’s Home Stay Policy, which aims to  give tourists an excellent alternate to hotels as they can get an opportunity to live with local families in their homes and experience the native culture and cuisine.

On this occasion, Sh. Manohar Lal also released a brochure of revamped Farm Tourism Policy in Haryana, wherein more and more exciting farms have been added to the illustrious list and now tourists can choose from a range of farm houses to enjoy weekends and holidays with friend and families. It will help in providing livelihood opportunities to local Farm owners and villagers.

While addressing the gathering, Sh. Manohar Lal recalled his old memories with Tikkar Taal and Morni and said," In the year 1990, I used to visit here for party works and once I had also got an opportunity of celebrating my birthday at school in Mandhana village.  At that time I felt that that this area has remained neglected so was we planned to develop this area in terms of road connectivity, education, health service and tourism."

He said that developing Morni was a key feature of the integrated Panchkula development plan therefore on June 20, 2021, he had visited here for the inspection of all these water and aero sports events.

"I am happy that all these companies who were brought here for these sports are now a part of Haryana Tourism department as they have signed various MoUs," said Sh. Manohar Lal.

The Chief Minister said that along with launching these sports activities, today the first foundation stone of its kind for the only Tourism Facilitation Centre has also been laid along with launching Home Stay and Farm City Policy.

"Promoting Tourism in Haryana is an utmost priority as it has become a key tool for not only providing employment but also certainly takes the graph of State Revenue and GDP to a new height," said the Chief Minister.

While inviting every nature lover and adventure enthusiast to visit Morni,  Sh. Manohar Lal said, "Today with this launch we have opened doors for tourists to experience Haryana in the true sense."

A new vista towards development of Tourism in Haryana 

Tourism industry is ever evolving and Haryana is ready to bring to tourists and visitors a new vista to seek fun and thrill through adventure sports. Adventure holds important position in the tourism Industry and is often considered a benchmark of tourist destinations. Adventure tourism is a type of tourism in which people engage in adventurous activities like Aero Sports and Water Sports and are extremely popular across the world.

Home Stays to replace commercial environment of hotels with native culture experience

With the launch of Home Stay Policy, the home owners residing locally can now offer their home to tourists and visitors on commercial basis at reasonable prices. Those home owners who have additional rooms in their homes can offer them at fixed rates to tourists along with full boarding. Thus, Tourists get clean and affordable place to stay with an added experience of local customs, cuisine etc. rather than the commercial environment of hotels.

The aim of the Home Stay Scheme is to expand the market by making more accommodation options for tourists as well as reducing its price-point. The scheme will also boost decentralization of benefits of tourism to large number of people who have properties available for such use. The scheme will provide a plethora of accommodation options at various locations and at competitive price. Tourists who are willing to stay for long periods will also benefit from this scheme.

With the launch of this Policy, tourists will certainly  get an exposure to local community life where they experience folk songs, take strolls in surrounding country side, engage in trekking, pottery making, food, dances, art and craft etc. Capacity Building Training of the eligible selected home-stay owners will be provided by the Haryana Tourism under Skill Development Mission.

Farm Tourism Policy revamped to provide fillip to tourism in Haryana

Leaving the humdrum of daily life, Farm Tourism allows you to connect with and relish the simple rural life. It is filled with diverse experiences ranging from riding the bumpy roads on a bullock cart, milking goats and cows, soaking in the local traditions to listening to the enchanting tales of the bygone era. It gives you a chance to relax and revitalize in the unfiltered natural environment, surrounded by a magnificent rural setting. With more options and facilities the revamped Farm Tourism Policy has created space for both farm owners and tourists. Farm owners can now look forward towards expanding their business on a larger and flexible commercial level with facilities provided through the renewed Policy. Tourists on the other hand can now explore true rural life with safety and security. This will help boost rural tourism and bring Haryana on the tourist calendar as important destination for those who seek a different experience.

Home Stay and Farm Stay owners felicitated

On this occasion, the Chief Minister also handed over Certificate of Acknowledgment to various owners who have enrolled themselves for Home Stay Policy and were felicitated during the programme. Besides this, owners of as many as 25 Farms were also given a letter of appreciation by the Chief Minister for their enrollment under the revamped Farm Stay Policy.

Earlier this Cheif Minister also inspected exhibition organized by the Tourism department regarding various activities which have been formally inagurted today.

Among those officers who remained present include, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Director General, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Principal Secretary, Tousrism Department, Sh. M. D. Sinha along with other senior officers.