
<p>The possibilities of investment to promote tourism in Uttarakhand and Nepal were discussed in a meeting held between the Tourism Development Council and Buddha Air Lines of Nepal on Friday.</p>



<p>In the virtual meeting, Colonel Ashwini Pundir, Additional Chief Executive Officer (Adventure Wing) of Uttarakhand Tourism Development Council, said that tourism is Uttarakhand&#8217;s primary income source. Tourism is linked with the livelihood and employment of lakhs of people in the state. Being a hill state, we understand the importance of air service.</p>



<p>The air service between Uttarakhand and Nepal will contribute significantly to tourism promotion. Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj has already spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and officials of Buddha Airlines.</p>



<p>The tourism department has developed theme-based circuits like spiritual, religious, adventure circuits, culture, heritage, and rural tourism circuits to promote tourism in the state. Apart from this, trekking is also being promoted in the state. Moreover, under the central government-backed Swadesh Darshan scheme, Uttarakhand has a new identity as Eco-Tourism.</p>



<p>Additional Director Poonam Chand said that the ease of ranking of the state has increased from 23rd rank in 2015 to 11th rank in 2020. To invest in the tourism sector better and easier, a new tourism policy is being prepared by the department. Yograj, a member of Buddha Air Lines, also suggested promoting and investing in tourism in Uttarakhand and Nepal.</p>

