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Sanjeev Gandhi, General Secretary of Hotel and Restaurant Association, Raises Concerns Over Declining Tourism in Kangra Region

Sanjeev Gandhi, the General Secretary of the Hotel and Restaurant Association in Dharamsala, has voiced serious concerns about the precipitous decline in tourism within the Kangra region. Highlighting the distressing state of affairs, Gandhi underscored the alarming situation faced by hoteliers, with occupancy rates plunging to a mere 10%. Urging immediate government intervention, Gandhi emphasized the significant adverse impact on the livelihoods of nearly 1 lakh individuals directly or indirectly dependent on the tourism sector in Kangra.

Gandhi elucidated that the downturn in tourism isn’t solely attributed to the aftermath of the monsoon-related adversities but also to the state’s tax policies. He revealed that the imposition of increased taxes on tourist vehicles under All-India Tourist Permits arriving from other states has dissuaded travel agents, particularly from prominent states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Delhi, from promoting Himachal as a tourist destination.

Expressing the industry’s limitations in independently rectifying the situation, Gandhi emphasized the necessity for government intervention through vigorous advertisement campaigns. He stressed the urgent need to sway tour operators back to including Himachal in their itineraries, diverting tourists from other popular destinations like Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand.

Moreover, Sanjeev Gandhi highlighted concerns raised by the Adventure Tourist Operator Association regarding additional taxes on trekkers visiting the region. He highlighted the detrimental impact of the recent imposition of a Rs 200 fee on every trekker heading to Triund in Dharamsala by the Eco-Tourism Society of the Forest Department. This move is expected to adversely affect adventure tourism in the area, potentially dissuading trekkers and affecting the local tourism economy further.

In essence, Gandhi’s advocacy underscores the urgent need for government support to revive Kangra’s tourism industry, safeguarding the livelihoods of countless individuals reliant on its prosperity.