Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Sweetens Tourism Loans: Sukhu Govt Announces Big Interest Subsidy for Homestays & New Ventures
The Himachal Pradesh government has announced interest subsidies of up to 5% on loans for homestays and new tourism projects, aiming to boost rural tourism, self-employment and sustainable development across the state.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today announced significant financial relief for individuals looking to set up new tourism units or expand and upgrade existing ones, including homestays. The benefit will be available to all bonafide residents of Himachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister said the government will provide an interest subsidy of 3% in urban areas, 4% in rural areas and 5% in tribal regions on loans of up to ₹2 crore. The subsidy will apply for a maximum of three years from the date of loan disbursement. The move aims to ease financial pressure on local entrepreneurs and accelerate tourism-related investments across the state.
Sukhu underlined the rising importance of homestays, emphasising that they offer affordable lodging while encouraging visitors to explore rural life and culture. The new subsidy scheme, he said, will help unlock the tourism potential of heritage-rich villages, promote self-employment and strengthen the state’s economy.
He noted that the tourism and hospitality sector currently contributes 7.78% to Himachal Pradesh’s Gross Domestic Product. The government’s broader aim, he added, is to promote sustainable tourism by collaborating with private stakeholders in a way that preserves the state’s ecological balance.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that the ₹619-crore Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park at Bankhandi in Kangra is set to become the first zoo in India to receive certification from the Indian Green Building Council for its eco-friendly design and operations. The park will also include a planetarium.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to tourism development, Sukhu said Kangra district is being shaped as the state’s “Tourism Capital,” with ₹460 crore already invested in the ongoing expansion of the Kangra airport.
Read Also : Himachal Police Detain 16 Key Chitta Traffickers in Major Statewide Crackdown
