NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, will soon launch a social media campaign on ‘Cool Summer of India’ to change the common perception that India is not a suitable tourist destination during the hot summers, sources said.
The campaign will go live on May 6, and the social media handles of ‘Incredible India’ have already shared a teaser. The aim is primarily to attract foreign tourists by challenging the perception that India is too hot for summer travel as the Indian subcontinent has different seasons, a source said on Friday.
Even as the mercury rises in many parts of the country in summer, there are “cool spots that we want to highlight and attract tourists to these scenic locations,” according to sources. The idea is also to highlight lesser-known tourist places and decongest spots that people otherwise rush to during regular tourist seasons, it added.
The campaign will also be showcased at the ‘Arabian Travel Mart’ (ATM), to be held in Dubai from May 6, they said.
As part of the campaign, a two-phase list of sites has been created, which will be revealed once the campaign goes live. In phase one, a list of around 50 summer resorts has been chosen, most of which are in northern India, they said.
These locations include Gulamarg, Patnitop, Grez, and Manasbal in Jammu and Kashmir; Pithorgarh, Auli, and Chopta in Uttarakhand; Kinnaur and Tirthan in Himachal Pradesh; Wayanad and Vagamon in Kerala; Aizawl, Thenzawl in Mizoram; Lachung and Yumthang in Sikkim; Haflong in Assam; and Kurseong in West Bengal.
Sources said the cooler climate and favorable AQI (air quality index) at these locations make them a good destination even in the summer. The list has been prepared based on data shared by states, Union Territories, and various tourism boards. Temperature was a factor in selecting these locations, they said.
“Think India is too hot for summer fun? Stay tuned for a refreshing revelation!” read an X post by ‘Incredible India’.
‘Incredible India’ is a popular campaign launched by the Ministry of Tourism to promote tourism in India. The move comes amid scorching heat in parts of the country and with five rounds of voting to go for the high-stakes 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
An intense heat wave lashed parts of eastern India and the southern peninsular region on Thursday, impacting power grids and prompting the Kerala government to order the closure of educational institutions till May 6. The record-breaking heat wave that has hit parts of eastern India and the southern peninsular region continued on Friday, with temperatures reaching above 44 degrees Celsius in at least 13 places. Extreme heat conditions prevailed in parts of Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.
Sources in the ministry say that while much of the country may experience hot summers, India has such a diverse climate that the weather could be pleasant in some parts of the country. The idea behind the ‘Cool Summers of India’ is also to showcase the beauty of these locations and promote local cuisine and other cultural offerings.
On Thursday, ‘Atulya Inda’ on its X handle shared a video of Gurez Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, saying, “Presenting the cool summer bliss of the gorgeous Gurez Valley”.
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