Dehradun, 11 Apr 2009

The Department of Tourism (DoT), Uttarakhand is in the process of formulating a Rural Tourism policy for the state in order to promote Rural Tourism. The policy which is in the pipeline will feature infrastructure development, institutions, capacity building through training programme and also marketing channels to promote Rural Tourism in Uttarakhand. Divulging further information, Rajiv Bhartari, Additional Secretary Tourism, Uttarakhand and also the Additional CEO, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board said, “Rural Tourism policy is currently in the formulation process and it will take a few months to announce the same. In the last two years, Uttarakhand positioned itself as an Adventure Tourist destination, and moving one step forward we plan to offer Adventure and Rural Tourism experiences to our visitors. We have in all around 40 Rural Tourism projects that are being worked upon. Each Rural Tourism project will have some element of soft adventure activities that travellers can pursue.”

Furthermore, to create brand awareness for the destination in the domestic and international markets, the state tourism board has changed its tagline from ‘Uttarakhand Simply Heaven’ to ‘Stunning Landscapes, Thrilling Adventure, Fascinating Wildlife, Spiritual Bliss… Uttarakhand Simply Heaven’. Bhartari opined that re-branding will benefit the destination as it will disseminate the right information to the end consumers. “The challenge at the moment is to create brand awareness in the international market and not much on the tourist figures. We plan to promote the destination in the international market as the traffic is relatively low as compared to other states.”

News Source: TravelBizMonitor

Dehradun, 10 Apr 2009

The Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) R S Tolia has imposed a fine of Rs 75,000 on the Uttarakhand government for not making public the Virendra Dixit Report on the permanent capital under the RTI.

While a fine of Rs 25,000 was imposed on the general administration, Rs 50,000 was slapped on the Information officer of the general administration in this regard, official sources said here today.

While imposing the fine, Tolia directed the government to upload the Dixit report on the government website within two weeks.

The move by Tolia has put the government under the bind as it was dithering on the issue. The order of Tolia came after Nasimuddin, an advocate, sought the report under the RTI. After alleged refusal by the state government, Nasimuddin approached the CIC for relief.

News Source: PTI