Tea Tourism - Uttarakhand Tea Development Board

Description
The scheme “Tea Tourism” is implemented by the Uttarakhand Tea Development Board, almora under the Department of Horticulture, Government of Uttarakhand. It aims to promote tea tourism in Uttarakhand by attracting visitors to tea gardens and factories, creating local jobs, and supporting the state’s tea industry.

Exclusions
• <br>

Benefits
• Presently, the Board is conducting tea tourism activities in the tea gardens of Ghorakhal (Nainital), Champawat, and Kausani (Bageshwar), which are yielding the following benefits:
• Tourists visiting the state, along with other scenic attractions, are also visiting the tea gardens and tea factories operated by the Board.
• The Board collects a nominal entry fee from tourists visiting the plantations.
• The revenue generated from the entry fee is utilized for developing tea tourism facilities in the same gardens.
• The Board earns an annual income of approximately ₹75 lakh by organizing guided tours and tea-tasting sessions for visitors.
• During the tourist season, about 500-600 tourists visit the tea gardens and tea factories every day.
• Tea tourism operated by the Board is providing direct and indirect employment opportunities to local residents.
• <br>

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant must be a firm or an individual belonging to Uttarakhand.
2. Firms or individuals with a minimum of three years of experience in the field of tourism are selected through the e-tendering process.
3. A 5-year contract is signed with the selected firm or individual.
4. <br>

Required Documents
• Documents are required in accordance with the Uttarakhand Tea Development Board guidelines to avail of the benefits.
• <br>

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is tea tourism currently being promoted in Uttarakhand?
A: Tea tourism activities are currently being conducted in the tea gardens of Ghorakhal (Nainital), Champawat, and Kausani (Bageshwar).
<br>

Q: What activities are offered to tourists under the Tea Tourism Scheme?
A: Tourists can enjoy tea garden tours, factory visits, tea tasting sessions, and stay in tourist cottages located within the tea gardens.
<br>

Q: Is there any entry fee for visiting tea gardens?
A: Yes, the Board collects a nominal entry fee from tourists visiting the tea plantations.
<br>

Q: What kind of employment opportunities does the scheme create?
A: The scheme generates direct and indirect employment for local residents through hospitality services, guiding, maintenance, and other tourism-related activities.
<br>

Q: Who operates the tea cafeterias and tourist cottages in Champawat?
A: The tea cafeteria and tourist cottages constructed by the Board in the Champawat tea garden are operated on a lease basis by firms selected through the e-tendering process.
<br>

Q: What are the eligibility criteria for firms or individuals to participate?
A: Applicants must be firms or individuals belonging to Uttarakhand with a minimum of three years’ experience in the field of tourism.
<br>

Q: How are firms or individuals selected for operating tea tourism units?
A: Selection is done through a transparent e-tendering process conducted by the Uttarakhand Tea Development Board.
<br>

Q: What is the duration of the contract with selected operators?
A: A 5-year contract is signed with the selected firm or individual for operating the tea tourism units.
<br>