Chandigarh to Welcome Top Travel Operators Next Month

In a move to boost tourism, the UT administration will host 50 of the country’s top travel operators for a curated tour of Chandigarh next month. The initiative aims to promote the city as a viable short-stay destination for travelers en route to Shimla and Manali, encouraging them to spend a day or two exploring Chandigarh.

Originally scheduled for May, the tour was postponed due to rising border tensions between India and Pakistan. Preparations are now in full swing to welcome the travel agents by late June or early July.

Tourism Director Pradhuman Singh said the department is making a push to strengthen tourism in the city. As part of its new strategy, it will conduct guided city tours for leading travel agents and tour operators from across India to showcase the range of attractions and excellent connectivity offered by the city. Once convinced, these agents are expected to suggest a one or two-day stopover in Chandigarh to clients booking travel packages through them. A meeting regarding the initiative also took place between the tourism secretary and officials of the Travel Agents Association of India.

Singh also stressed the importance of changing the current perception of Chandigarh as merely a transit hub. He urged travel operators to incorporate one- or two-day stays in Chandigarh into broader travel itineraries or to design dedicated packages for the city. According to Singh, all preparations for the initiative have already been finalized.

In a meeting held in March this year, tourism secretary Mandip Singh Brar stated that the Chandigarh tourism department had decided to revamp its website and social media platforms to better showcase events and activities happening in the city. The secretary had also assured that regular meetings would be held to collaborate with stakeholders regarding the city’s development. The administration, he had said, will actively engage with both national and international entities to facilitate increased tourist inflow and elevate Chandigarh’s profile as a premier tourist destination.

Chandigarh’s key attractions include the Capitol Complex in Sector 1, Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Bird Park, the Indian Air Force Heritage Centre, and the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10. Each year, the city draws about 30,000 international visitors and 1.2 million domestic tourists.

Support for Local Artistes: ₹2,000 per Performance

Following Delhi’s model, the Chandigarh tourism department is preparing to launch a new initiative to support local and independent artistes. As part of this plan, performers will be given the opportunity to showcase their talent every evening at major tourist spots and gardens such as Rose Garden, Shantikunj, and other prominent venues.

Performers with their own instruments or musical setups—including solo singers, guitarists, and other artists—will be eligible to participate. The tourism department will soon release an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting applications from interested artistes. Selected participants will receive a one-hour performance slot each day and will be paid approximately ₹2,000 per performance.

This model, already adopted by the Delhi tourism department, had earlier received praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Mann Ki Baat radio program.