BY IANS,
Shimla : Himachal Pradesh will set up security force especially to assist and guide tourists, state Tourism Secretary Manisha Nanda said Tuesday.
Speaking at the inter-state regional conference of the tourism ministers in New Delhi, she said the tourist security force would act as a bridge between the tourists and the local police.
“A draft proposal for the formation of the tourist security force has been prepared. For this, the union tourism ministry has to provide liberal financial assistance,” an official statement said.
Regarding starting heli-taxi services, the tourism secretary said the government was planning to start heli-taxis in the state. For this, 57 helipads have been set up even in remote areas.
She also demanded to extend time limit fixed for completion of various tourism infrastructural projects in the state keeping in view tough geographical conditions.
Himachal Pradesh has registered an average growth rate of 10-12 percent on tourist arrival.
The state had attracted 98 lakh tourists, including four lakh foreigners, last year. Around 1,900 hotels providing 22,000 rooms and having 45,000 bed capacity have been registered with the government in the state.