Govt urged to set up tourist info centre near Atal Tunnel

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, December 30

Tourism stakeholders of the Lahaul valley have urged the state government to set up a tourist information centre near the Atal Tunnel in Lahaul and Spiti.

After the opening of the Atal Tunnel, tourists travel to the Lahaul valley from the Manali side. The tourism stakeholders feel that the state government needs to make efforts to promote the industry in a planned way. Sachin Mirupa, a stakeholder in Lahaul, says, “There is an acute shortage of staff in the Tourism Department in this tribal district. The charge of District Tourism Development Officer (DTDO) has been given to the SDM, Keylong”.

“We urge the government to constitute tourism councils at the village level. Tourists visit the Atal Tunnel round the year. We urge the government to set up a tourist information centre near the tunnel for the convenience of visitors,” he said.

Tashi Barongpa, secretary of the Hoteliers’ Association, Lahaul, says, “We have repeatedly urged the state government to set up an independent office of the Tourism Department in Keylong”.

“Lahaul and Spiti district is blessed with scenic beauty and has a vast potential to attract tourists. To promote winter tourism, the Lahaul valley can become the epicentre of activities. The opening of the

Atal Tunnel has given people an easy access to the valley round the year,” says Rigzin Samphel Heyreppa, president, Lahaul Eco Tourism Society.