Himachal: Issue of Himachal’s tourism in Rajya Sabha, MP Harsh Mahajan spoke about immense potential

March 11, 2026

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan, raising the issue of the immense potential and challenges of Himachal Pradesh’s tourism sector in the Rajya Sabha, stated that Himachal Pradesh is one of India’s most important tourist destinations and a key pillar of the state’s economy and livelihoods for millions of people.

He stated that last year, Himachal Pradesh received approximately 18 million domestic tourists and nearly 80,000 foreign tourists, reflecting the state’s popularity and tourism potential. The tourism sector contributes significantly to the state’s GDP and provides employment to millions of people.

MP Harsh Mahajan stated that Himachal Pradesh has been ranked among India’s most welcoming regions for the past three years and has also been ranked among the top 10 regions in the world in the Booking.com Traveler Review Awards. He stated that the state also has immense potential for religious tourism. Shaktipeeths like Jwalaji, Chintpurni, Naina Devi, and Chamunda, as well as the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra and the Lakshmi Temple in Chamba, are of vital importance to pilgrims. He said that Dharamshala, where His Holiness the Dalai Lama resides, and the ancient Buddhist monasteries of the Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh regions make Himachal a global hub of Buddhist tourism.

Harsh Mahajan also stated that Himachal Pradesh holds a global reputation in the field of adventure tourism. Activities such as paragliding in Bir-Billing, trekking in Spiti and Kinnaur, and skiing in the Solang Valley are particularly attractive to tourists. Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India on this occasion, he said that initiatives such as the Swadesh Darshan, Prasad Yojana, and strengthening of connectivity by the Central Government have given new impetus to the tourism sector. He said that the development of new tourist routes and tracks announced in the Union Budget will further benefit Himachal Pradesh.

MP Harsh Mahajan also cautioned that the ecology of the Himalayan region is extremely sensitive and that incidents of cloudbursts, landslides, and natural disasters in recent years indicate that maintaining a balance between development and the environment is crucial. He said that it is necessary to find solutions to issues like unplanned construction, waste management problems, parking and traffic jams from a scientific perspective, so that tourism can be promoted while protecting the environment.