‘Har Gaon ki Kahani’ was a promotional scheme started by the Himachal Tourism department to diversify tourism from the crowded destinations like Manali, Shimla, and Dharamshala. However, this scheme has caught tourist interest and a record number of tourists are opting to stay in the home-stays started under this scheme.

Under this scheme, the state government is going to organize the second edition of the Masroor Cultural Festival in Kangra district this month. The plans are to include 12 more villages, one each from every district t promote the ‘Har Gaon ki Kahani’ campaign. Holding of the Masroor Cultural and Folk festival is part of this campaign and the second such festival would be held in the last of December.

Poor administration and a malfunctioning tourism departed in Srinagar has spiked year ender booking at hotels across the state. Sudripta Roy, chief secretary of the Tourism Department said, “there has been a sudden increase in tourist bookings for the last week of year and the first week of next one. We are almost booked to near capacity.”

The state tourism department had asked the Aviation Ministry to operate flights to Kullu, Shimla, and Dharamshala to attract the high end tourists who would be like to celebrate their New Year 2013 in the Himalayas.

The State Tourism Department runs many hill resorts and hotels, which attract high end customers and continuing the air services is very important to retain those customers.