Tourism policy innovations of an Indian state (Haryana) and their implications

Haryana was established in 1966 by getting carved out from the heart of the Indo-Gigantic plains. Roughly the size of Belgium, Haryana has a track record of innovative tourism policies.Way back in '70s it was the first state to pioneer highway tourism. It went on to experiment with cultural and pilgrimage tourism in 80s and adventure and golf tourism in 90s and then farmhouse tourism at the turn of the century. While an emphasis on expanding markets for tourism is a praiseworthy move, devising strategies for promoting and protecting local culture, values, heritage, lifestyles and local natural resources and environments is also critical for sustenance of tourism. The paper looks at the socio-cultural dimensions of various tourism strategies adopted by the state of Haryana, in order to underline the importance of ensuring effective planning and management for guaranteeing protection and preservation of cultural heritage, values, local environments and social well-being. It is thus a call for a mature response on part of the government for ensuring sustainable development of tourism. There is a need to develop a strategic framework involving coherent partnership between all the stakeholders, ensuring generation of foreign exchange without creating socio cultural and environmental problems and without having to exhaust assets which cannot be replaced