(1) The Board may,-
(a) advise the Government to lay down policy guidelines for the development and promotion of tourism industry in the State;
(b) publicise Himachal as an attractive tourist destination within and outside the country and establish image of Himachal Pradesh as a safe reliable tourist destination;
(c) undertake improvement in the tourist areas to the extent possible within the resources of the Board;
(d) undertake income generating projects for the benefit of tourism industry/tourists in general;
(e) provide assistance to the Department of Tourism, Tourism Development Councils, Tourism Development Corporation, other departments of the Government, Semi Government Organizations, Non-Government Organizations to promote tourism industry and to enter into joint ventures with such departments and agencies;
(f) undertake human resource development effort for the development of sustainable tourism industry in the State;
1. Substituted for the word “the Vice-Chairman and in the absence of both” vide H.P. Act No. 14 of 2020.
THE HIMACHAL PRADESH TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND REGISTRATION ACT, 2002 11
(g) work in collaboration with counterpart bodies in other States for the overall development of tourism industry and to undertake joint projects with other Government and Semi- Government Organisations elsewhere in the country;
(h) create employment opportunities and to earn foreign exchange through development, expansion and promotion of tourism and civil aviation;
(i) carry out action research or get it done as per necessity to find out ways to eliminate problems encountered in tourism sector so as to provide quality services to the tourists;
(j) take steps to motivate the private sector to encourage the tourists to visit the places of religious and cultural importance, high mountains and the areas of alluring natural beauty of the State by making use of the existing physical infrastructure related with tourism in an organised and effective manner;
(k) take steps to organize constructive and tourism promotional activities including international seminars and conferences, trade fairs, cultural youth festivals and sports competitions and to encourage private sector to organize and participate in such activities;
(l) give priority to rural tourist destinations while developing new tourist destinations and consolidating tourism infrastructure and facilities and to motivate local rural community to undertake various activities for rural tourism development;
(m) mobilize or get mobilized investment for infrastructure building and development of new tourist destinations;
(n) protect and promote religious places of tourist interest, to extend facilities and services in such places of religious and cultural importance for attracting more tourists and for developing religious tourism;
(o) develop and promote wildlife and eco-tourism;
(p) implement or get implemented publicity programmes on various levels for raising tourism consciousness;
(q) make special arrangements for the security of the tourists by standardizing services and facilities provided to the tourists by tourism entrepreneures;
(r) provide and make provisions for necessary services and consultation in subjects related to tourism;
12 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND REGISTRATION ACT, 2002
(s) negotiate with foreign or international organizations with the approval of Government for the fulfilment of the Board's objectives;
(t) approve necessary budget for conducting Board's annual programmes;
(u) perform other necessary activities related with the development, extension and promotion of tourism;
(v) issue guidelines to the Tourism Development Councils;
(w) to assist in the formation and functioning of society related to adventure tourism; and
(x) perform such other functions as may be entrusted to it by the Government from time to time.
(2) The Board may, with the approval of the Government, charge fee or rent,-
(a) for the registration and renewal of registration of tourism units, travel agents, guides, adventure sports operators or other persons requiring registration and licence under this Act; and
(b) for promotion of destination or location by way of common publicity.
(3) The Board may, on its own, charge fee of rent,-
(a) for the parking of vehicles provided by the Board to the tourists; and
(b) for the facilities provided by the Board to the tourists in tourism units.
(4) The Board may, receive donations and grants from any Government, Semi- Government or Non- Government Organizations.