Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club on Friday urged the government to extend the land lease of the hoteliers at Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar.
In an executive committee meeting held today here at Hotel Sarovar Portico, chairman J&K Hoteliers Club (J&KHC) Mushtaq A Chaya said Kashmir, especially Gulmarg is receiving huge bookings of the travellers for Christmas, New Year and winter season which has raised the hopes of the travel industry.
According to the local news agency KNS, Chaya said “government’s successful promotional campaigns outside Jammu and Kashmir are bearing fruit, however due to the non-extension of the land lease agreements, the hoteliers at Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Srinagar are facing a lot of problems.”
He urged the administration to extend the lease to the hoteliers at these prime tourist resorts so that they can pay full attention to the promotion of the sector.
He said hoteliers are at the forefront of tourism promotional campaigns which helps attract travellers in large numbers.
“The investment of the hoteliers is not only attracting travellers here but also helps various other economic sectors,” said Chaya.
During the meeting, the hoteliers also demanded amnesty in the power tariff to the hotels so that the amount can be utilised in upgrading services and promotional activities.
“Tourism industry was also given industrial status but the power tariff is not charged at par with the industrial sector. We are hopeful that government would charge hoteliers for various facilities as per the tariff applicable to the industrial sector,” he said.
On the occasion, J&KHC secretary-general Tariq Rashid Ghani informed the members that Secretary Tourism Sarmad Hafeez has assured them that the renewal of hotel registrations would be completed on priority. (KNS)
