On the fairways of one of India's oldest golf courses, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday, 25 October 2026 laid out an ambitious blueprint — ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 crore in tourism investment over the next five years — framing a heritage golf event in Naldehra, Shimla district, as a window into what the hill state wants to become.

₹15,000 Crore and Five Years: The Scale of Sukhu's Tourism Bet

In remarks at the event, the Chief Minister stated that his government is actively working on a plan to attract ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 crore of investment into the tourism sector over the next five years. The figure is striking for a hill state whose economy has historically leaned on horticulture and central transfers. The push signals a deliberate reorientation — tourism not as a seasonal supplement, but as a structural pillar.

Crucially, Sukhu tied the investment target to a quality shift, not just a volume one. The government's stated focus is on high-end tourism, world-class tourism infrastructure, and — significantly — strengthening air connectivity. For a state whose airports at Shimla, Kullu-Manali, and Dharamshala have long been constrained by terrain and capacity, reliable air links are the single biggest unlock for premium travellers.

Naldehra's Long History as Himachal's Golf Flagship

Naldehra Golf Course is not an incidental backdrop. Developed during the British era, it is among the oldest golf courses in India, set at altitude with Himalayan ridgelines as its gallery. Hosting the Koti Golf Cup-2026 here is itself a statement about positioning Shimla district's heritage assets within the high-end tourism corridor the state is trying to build.

Present at the ceremony alongside CM Sukhu were Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, and members and office-bearers of both the Koti Golf Club and the Naldehra Golf Club. The ministerial presence underlined that this was a coordinated government signal, not a routine ceremonial appearance.

What the Investment Plan Would Have to Deliver

Himachal Pradesh has pursued tourism infrastructure upgrades — airport expansions, road connectivity — across successive state budgets for over a decade. The scale announced now, however, is sharply higher, and the explicit emphasis on 'world-class infrastructure' and aviation marks an evolution from incremental upgrades toward a more transformative ambition. The critical test will come in rollout: project tenders, private-sector partnerships, and aviation-route expansions will reveal whether the ₹15,000 crore target has concrete mechanics behind it.

For now, a golf cup in the Himalayan foothills just became the launch pad for one of Himachal's most publicly articulated tourism bets. Watch for the first project announcements.