Chandigarh, April 22
The Haryana government plans to promote farm tourism and homestays to generate employment opportunities for youth and strengthen the rural economy, a senior official said.
Speaking at a meeting with farm tourism and homestay operators, Commissioner and Secretary of the Haryana Tourism Department Amit Kumar Agrawal said the government is committed to expanding tourism activities across the state. He assured stakeholders that issues faced by operators would be addressed as a priority to facilitate smoother operations.
During the meeting, operators highlighted challenges with approvals, infrastructure, and coordination across multiple departments. They also raised concerns regarding the availability of essential facilities required to run such services effectively.
Agrawal directed stakeholders to submit their concerns in writing within five days. Based on these inputs, the government will formulate a complete Farm Tourism and Homestay Policy in consultation with various departments. The proposed policy will be placed before the state Cabinet for approval.
He added that once implemented, the policy would ensure the sector’s streamlined functioning. Services related to farm tourism and homestays are also proposed to be brought under the Right to Service Act to ensure timely delivery.
The official said the state is also studying agro tourism and homestay models adopted by other states to incorporate best practices. He emphasised that tourism and hospitality would be promoted on par with other industries to maximise employment generation and support the overall growth of the sector.
The initiative is expected to open new avenues for rural livelihoods while strengthening Haryana’s tourism potential.
