12 hours ago
Chandigarh tourism dept aims to achieve 15 lakh tourist footfall by March 2026
With more than 10 lakh visitors arriving in Chandigarh in 2024, the Tourism Department of Chandigarh has set its eyes on achieving 15 lakh tourist footfall by March 2026.
Tourism director Pradhuman Singh said, 'Chandigarh Tourism in 2024 has attracted 10.37 lakh visitors to the city, and we are targeting achieving 15 lakh tourist footfalls by March 2026. To accelerate progress, we are organising a stakeholder meeting with tour operators next month to align strategies and boost short-stay visits.'
The Director (Tourism) said that on social media as well engagement targets have been set. For Facebook, which has 15,000 followers, the target is set at 30,000 followers by March 2026. On the Instagram page of the tourism department, which has 17,900 followers, the target is set for 35,000 followers by March 2026.
'We have an annual goal to surpass 40 lakh combined social media reach in the financial year 2025–26,' said Singh. To position Chandigarh as a top-tier short-stay destination for travellers bound for Shimla and Manali, the department has invited endorsements from 50 top national travel agents. The familiarisation tour, now rescheduled to late June or early July, was delayed due to regional tensions earlier this summer. The initiative's central aim is simple: to convince these agents to include a 1–2 day stopover in Chandigarh tourism packages.
In the meetings with the Travel Agents Association of India, the tourism department has decided that there will be guided tours covering the city's highlights of the Capitol Complex, the Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Bird Park, IAF Heritage Centre, and the Govt Museum and Art Gallery.
Inspired by Delhi Tourism's initiative, Chandigarh will soon issue an expression of interest (EOI) inviting local musicians and performers to entertain tourists at iconic locations like the Rose Garden and Shantikunj. Selected performers will receive a Rs 2,000 honorarium for one-hour evening slots — much to the delight of both residents and visitors, said the tourism director.
