Strategies for Holistic Development of Tourism Industry in India:A Case Study of Himachal Pradesh

Purpose: The purpose of this research paper is to formulate strategies for holistic development of tourism industry in Himachal Pradesh, a sate of India. Because of inequitable growth, certain districts such as Shimla, Kullu and Kangra are now overburdened with tourist, whereas, tourist inflow in districts such as Lahaul & Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba is minimal. Because of this imbalance, there is a limit to which the industry has been able to contribute in the economy of the state. Moreover, through this paper, an attempt has been made to identify the various famous tourism destinations in the state.

Research implications: Through this study, the attention of planning agencies is drawn towards the inequitable and imbalanced growth of tourism industry in the state. Further, as the concept of development of niche tourism is found to be effective in inclusion of untouched tourism destinations, it is now the work of researchers and policy makers to identify the various types of niche tourism which could be developed on the basis of strengths of the industry and formulate and execute strategies to inculcate those in the vision of state tourism board.