SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), a state-run enterprise once heralded as the pride of Himachal’s tourism sector, is staring down the barrel of financial ruin.
Himachal Pradesh High court has pulled up the HPTDC for its financial mess mismanagement and losses saying if they fail to manage its hotels they should be shut down .
With over ₹35 crore in unpaid salaries and arrears piling up, the corporation’s collapse seems imminent.
This dismal state of affairs came to light when Jai Krishan , an employee of HPTDC, filed a petition in the High Court, seeking relief for his long-overdue wages.
In response, the Managing Director of HPTDC submitted a startling affidavit, painting a grim picture of the corporation’s financial health.
The HPTDC owns prime properties located in Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, and other sought-after destinations across the state. Yet, instead of being tourism hotspots, these once-coveted hotels are now running at a loss.
Tourists, lured by better service, lower rates, and improved hospitality standards, are choosing private accommodations over HPTDC hotels. What’s worse?
These private enterprises operate in the same prime locations but offer a superior experience at a fraction of the cost.
So, what’s plaguing HPTDC? High prices, mismanagement, and an apparent lack of professionalism.
Unlike private hotels that have adapted to modern marketing techniques and customer service standards, HPTDC hotels seem stuck in a bygone era. The marketing is ineffective, the management disorganized, and the staff ill-prepared to meet the expectations of today’s tourists.
The result: empty rooms, dwindling revenues, and a salary backlog that now cripples the corporation.
Despite these challenges, the state government has done little to address the looming disaster.
The annual salary bill, amounting to ₹5-7 crore, remains unpaid, further choking the corporation’s operations. To make matters worse, the state’s ministers, MLAs, and other VIPs frequently avail HPTDC hotels at a 50% discount, bleeding the corporation dry while offering little in return.
The ongoing financial crisis within HPTDC reflects a broader issue afflicting many of the state’s Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
What was once a flagship tourism initiative now teeters on the verge of collapse, with no clear solution in sight.
The government’s inaction, combined with the corporation’s inability to compete with private players, is dragging one of Himachal’s most critical tourism assets into the abyss.
If immediate action is not taken, the situation could spiral out of control, leaving thousands of employees unpaid and key properties abandoned.
HPTDC needs a complete overhaul—from restructuring its management to revising its pricing strategy, improving marketing, and most importantly, addressing the grievances of its long-suffering employees.
Without a swift intervention, HPTDC’s demise will not only spell disaster for its workforce but also tarnish the very image of tourism in Himachal Pradesh.
