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Tourism in Ladakh expected to grow exponentially post UT status; a brand name on the anvil

The tourism industry in Ladakh is expected to benefit significantly post its newly established status of Union Territory (UT), a section of industry stakeholders shared on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi.

This new found confidence comes in the wake of the Indian government’s plans to invest in infrastructure projects in Ladakh. 

Amit Shah, India’s Home Minister recently shared that development projects amounting to Rs. 50,000 crore in various sectors including tourism are in the pipeline for Ladakh. The centre government is also working towards setting-up a facility to train manpower for the tourism sector in Ladakh.

The Indian Tourism Minister (Prahlad Singh Patel) visited Ladakh soon after it was accorded the UT status and met the local tourism and hospitality stakeholders to understand their concern and how to grow tourism in Ladakh. 

“Siachen glacier is not yet opened for tourism purpose. Local tourism industry stakeholders have identified facilities that are needed to be put in place there. We will soon share a proposal with union government in this regard,” said BJP’s Member of Parliament (MP) from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal on the sidelines of the New India – New Ladakh seminar that took place on December 3, 2019 in New Delhi.

“The honorable Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has also said that there is a need to develop homestays in Ladakh. Considering that even the Prime Minister is so keen to grow tourism in Ladakh, we are confident that the sector will record strong growth in the near future,” added Namgyal.

In order to promote Ladakh in the international markets, a brand name for tourism marketing will also be introduced. Presently, the new brand name and its logo are being finalized with consultants and announcement in this regard will be made soon. 

“The idea is to promote Ladakh as an individual destination and not club it with other destinations. We are hopeful that tourism and hospitality segments will grow in a sustainable manner post the new UT status for Ladakh,” said Namgyal.

New Tourism Foundation’s New India – New Ladakh seminar was also attended by Minister of State, Ministry of Tourism and Culture (Independent Charge), Prahlad Singh Patel who was the Chief Guest at the event. 

“We want to have a fully equipped facilitation cum training centre for adventure tourism in the region besides developing infrastructure that can help in the tourism development. We will offer 100 per cent support to promote Ladakh in whichever way we can,” said Patel.

“The need of the hour is to promote Ladakh aggressively and in the right perspective, before the domestic and international travellers. The aim is to enable Ladakh to offer quality tourism and make it one of the best tourism destinations in the world,” added Patel.

Vinod Zutshi, President, New Tourism Foundation shared, “The newly acquired UT status has opened the doors for innumerable opportunities for expanding tourism and cultural activities in the region. The new status of Ladakh will provide a great platform for tourism to prosper as there will be greater coordination with the centre, more resources, and greater support from agencies and stakeholders of tourism industry.”

Other speakers at the event included C. Phunsok, Vice Chancellor of University of Ladakh & Former Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir and Tashi Motup Kau, who is the first Chairman of Ladakh Tourism Council of New Tourism Foundation who also owns WelcomHeritage Lha-Ri-Sa-Resort.

Sunil Gupta, Secretary General, New Tourism Foundation mentioned that the foundation will work towards bringing the issues pertaining to India tourism in spotlight and organising more such educative seminars. 

New India-New Ladakh seminar was an effort to bring all stakeholders on a common platform and to deliberate on showcasing Ladakh before the world in a more aggressive manner, to promote this  unique, but lesser-known destination and to build a road map for bringing quality tourism and sustained tourism in Ladakh. 

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