HC order fallout: Dharamshala hotels hike tariffs to cash in on winter tourist rush
DHARAMSHALA: With the recent HP high court ruling leading to the closure of around 200 illegal hotels and guest houses in and around Dharamshala and McLeodganj, a few of the operating ones have quietly hiked their room tariffs to cash in on the tourist rush.
On comparing the tariff approved by the state tourism department and prices listed on various travel websites, it has come to the fore that many hotels are charging more than normal rates.
For an instance, hotels which usually charge up to ₹1,000 for a night have increased their tariff up to ₹2,000. The hotels in question are mostly budget ones. However, the high-end hotels have kept their prices steady and within the approved limit.
WHAT LED TO THIS SITUATION
Hearing a public interest litigation on environment degradation in Dharamshala and surrounding areas, the HC ordered the closure of around 200 hotels recently. Acting on the court orders, the authorities have already snapped power and water supply of as many as 145 hotels. Such closures are likely to hit the tourism industry badly and around 2,000 employees could be losing their jobs. The hotels whose essential supplies were snapped have cancelled all of their bookings. “Hospitality industry will be affected badly with the deci- sion,” said Prem Sood, a hotelier based in Dharamshala.
He said the last week of December was the only period when visitors would throng this area.
TOURISM DEPT ASSURES BEST FACILITIES TO TOURISTS
Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Saturday, the tourism department assured best facilities for the tourists. A spokesperson said that with a view to ensure quality services to the visitors, the officials of the department have inspected the registered units and have penalised erring hotels. He has also urged the entrepreneurs to register their hotels, guest houses and restaurants with the department and obtain consent to operate certificate issued by the pollution control board and no objection certificates.