HP Tourism Excellence Awards — ₹1 Lakh Cash Prize per Category — Frequently Asked Questions

Each awardee receives a cash prize of ₹1 lakh. The prize is given per category, so a winner in the Best Lady Entrepreneurs in Tourism category, for example, takes home ₹1 lakh for that category.

No. The awards run on a rolling, always-open basis, so there is no fixed closing date to work towards. You can prepare and submit your entry at any time through the state's online services portal.

The awards are for individuals and entities working within Himachal Pradesh's tourism industry. The categories cover Best Entrepreneurs in Tourism, Best Lady Entrepreneurs in Tourism, Best Start-ups in Tourism, Most Innovative Tourism Projects, Best ICT-enabled Tourism Projects, and Best-maintained Tourism Assets (Swachhta Puraskar). Hotels, tour operators, agents, guides, adventure tour-operators and home-stays also come under the programme.

Yes, the awards are specifically focused on tourism. Individuals and businesses operating within Himachal Pradesh's tourism sector are the intended applicants, and unrelated industries are not covered by these categories.

The programme details available do not state a DPIIT or MSME registration requirement. Eligibility is defined around the award category you enter and your work in the state's tourism sector, so it is worth checking the category criteria in the Tourism Policy 2019 and its guidelines before applying.

No. This is a competition-style award that pays out a cash prize of ₹1 lakh together with public recognition. Nothing in the programme indicates that any equity, ownership stake or repayment obligation is taken in exchange.

You will need to compile a comprehensive application that highlights your achievements, innovations and contributions relevant to your chosen category. That typically includes project details, impact metrics and supporting documentation. Reviewing the category criteria first helps you decide exactly what evidence to include.

Applications are submitted through the designated portal used by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department, which is the state's online services platform at https://emerginghimachal.hp.gov.in/online-services. Start by reviewing the eligibility and criteria for your category, then prepare and submit your application there.

A dedicated selection committee reviews the entries. It brings together experts from the tourism sector and representatives from the Government of Himachal Pradesh, and it judges every application against the specific criteria defined for its category — covering innovation, impact, sustainability and overall excellence.

Your application goes to the selection committee for review against the criteria of your category. Shortlisted candidates or projects may face further evaluation before the final awardees are announced annually. Winners are invited to an award ceremony, where they receive their cash prize and formal public recognition.

HP Tourism Excellence Awards — ₹1 Lakh Cash Prize per Category is offered by Department of Industries, Government of Himachal Pradesh (Startup Himachal), a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.

Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.