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In a bid to boost the pandemic-hit tourism sector of the state, the Uttarakhand government has finalized details of the ‘Tourist Incentive Coupons Scheme’ which was put forward by the state cabinet a few days ago. Under the scheme, tourists visiting the state who register themselves will be provided with either Rs 1,000 discount or a 25% reduction of their accommodation charges (whichever is lesser) subject to a maximum stay of three days.

The discount applicable will be adjusted on the accommodation charges by the hotel/homestay owner, tourism department officials said, adding that the hotel/homestay owners can claim the pending bills from the respective government departments on successful submission of documents. The scheme will be applicable only to a stay in hotels/homestays in limited areas of Uttarakhand.

“The scheme will be tested as a pilot project for one month. An overall expenditure of Rs 2.7 crore is expected under this scheme in the initial month, which will be compensated from the CM Relief Fund. The scheme may be further extended for a period of two months if the outcome is promising,” an official said.

 
Tourism secretary Dilip Jawalkar meanwhile said that Uttarakhand will be the first state in India to introduce such an incentive-based scheme to boost tourism. “Countries like Japan and a few other European countries have announced similar incentive-based schemes to woo large numbers of tourists. Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board has initiated this scheme to boost the tourism-related economy as well as to attract a large number of tourists in the state. The launch date of this scheme will soon be announced,” said Jawalkar.

News Courtesy: ET