Chandigarh, April 21 (IANS) The Haryana government aims to take tourism in the state to new heights through farm tourism and homestays, which will create new employment opportunities for the youth, officials said.

“To achieve this, issues faced by farm tourism and homestay operators will be resolved on a priority basis,” Amit Kumar Agrawal, Haryana Commissioner and State Tourism Department Secretary, said on Tuesday.

At a meeting here with farm tourism and homestay operators, Agrawal said the state government is making efforts to promote tourism activities in the state.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is personally taking keen interest in the development of farm tourism and homestays in the state, the Haryana Commissioner and State Tourism Department Secretary was quoted as saying.

During the meeting, farm tourism and homestay operators apprised the department of issues related to various departments and requested their resolution.

They said that the global annual market for farm tourism and homestays is Rs 5,000 crore and is continuously growing.

“If the Haryana government addresses the challenges faced by this sector, the state can achieve significant progress in this field,” they added.

The operators also highlighted difficulties related to necessary facilities and approvals required from different departments in detail.

Agrawal directed operators to submit their issues in writing within the next five days.

Based on these inputs, a comprehensive farm tourism and homestay policy will be formulated in coordination with all departments and will be presented for Cabinet approval.

Once implemented, it will ensure smooth functioning of these services.

Additionally, services related to this sector will be notified under the Right to Service Act to ensure timely delivery within a stipulated period.

Agrawal said the state government is also studying policies implemented by other states related to agro-tourism and homestays to make Haryana’s policy more effective.

He added that as per the directions of the Chief Minister, tourism and hospitality will be promoted on a par with other industries in the state to generate maximum employment opportunities.

He also told that the Central government has included farm tourism and homestays under the ease of doing business framework.

–IANS

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