SHIMLA: The Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association (SHTA) convened a crucial meeting with Gujarat's travel agents during the Tourism Trade Fair in Gandhi Nagar, shedding light on the challenges like high tax rates, lack of facilities that inhibit Himachal's potential for tourism growth mainly from Gujarat.
The President of the Travel Agents Association of Pan India (TAAPI), Mr. Vineesh Shah, raised pertinent concerns while discussions revolved around dwindling tourist footfalls from Gujarat to Himachal Pradesh.
Gujarat's tour operators and travel agents have historically played a pivotal role in driving occupancy rates in Himachal's hotels, especially with group tourists.
However, a multitude of obstacles deter these operators from bringing their groups to Himachal, largely due to unfavorable conditions for both operators and tourists.
Chief among the concerns highlighted by Mr. Shah was the steep taxation imposed on tourist buses registered in other states. While states like Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand offer tax exemptions, Himachal proposes a significant hike, ranging from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 6000 per day.
This unwarranted financial burden, coupled with fierce competition among Gujarat travel agents and budget constraints of government employees, has discouraged tourism promotion efforts in Himachal.
Moreover, the restriction on tourist buses' entry into Shimla city further amplifies operational costs. Operators are forced to arrange costly taxis for Shimla sightseeing and commuting from the bus parking spots situated approximately 7 to 8 kilometers away from the city.
The absence of roadside amenities for parked buses and exorbitant charges demanded by taxi services compound the issue, rendering the Himachal experience economically unviable for tour operators.
Mr. Shah proposed two key solutions to rejuvenate Himachal's tourism sector. Firstly, he urged the Himachal Pradesh Government to abolish the heavy taxes on tourist coaches with out-of-state registrations.
Secondly, he stressed the need for designated parking areas outside Shimla that encompass essential facilities such as public toilets, bus washing provisions, prepaid taxi services, and rest areas for drivers.
These improvements would not only attract Gujarat's tourists but also divert tourism traffic from Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand to Himachal, thereby invigorating the state's hospitality industry and bolstering government revenue.
In response, Mr. Tarun Bakshi, Joint Secretary of the Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association, assured Mr. Shah and the Gujarat travel agents that the association would advocate these concerns with the government to find effective solutions.
Mr. Shah expressed optimism that rectifying these issues would rekindle Gujarat's interest in promoting Himachal as a prime tourist destination.
The urgent need for intervention resonates beyond tourism operators and extends to the entire hospitality sector, which has been grappling with diminished revenues due to the reluctance of Gujarat tour operators to bring groups to Himachal.
The SHTA's efforts align with their goal of fostering sustainable growth in Himachal's tourism and hotel industries. It now hinges on the Himachal Pradesh Government's response to these main concerns.
SHTA President Mohinder Seth said the fate of Himachal's tourism rests on the willingness of the government to address these concerns promptly. It will potentially revitalize state's economy and ensuring its position on Gujarat's travel itinerary. he added.
