The discount being given to accredited journalists in Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) hotels for the last six months has been discontinued. In this regard, the state government issued orders on Friday. Since March this year, accredited journalists were getting a discount of 30 to 50 percent on staying in Tourism Development Corporation hotels. Now, according to the order issued by the government, journalists will not get this discount. According to the information, this decision has been taken due to the ongoing economic crisis in the state.
Discount was being given since March
Journalists were getting this facility since last March. In fact, Tourism Development Corporation Chairman and MLA RS Bali had announced to give discount to journalists and Himachali soldiers serving in the army on staying in tourism hotels. Regarding this, the state government had issued a notification on March 25, 2024, under which 50 percent discount was being given on staying in tourism hotels in off season and 30 percent discount in on season. Along with this, journalists and soldiers staying in the hotel were also being given an additional 30 percent discount on food.
However, in view of the current economic crisis in the state, the state government has now withdrawn this notification. However, it has been clarified in the new notification that the 25 percent discount that accredited journalists were already getting on food in tourist hotels will continue.
35 out of 55 hotels of HPTDC are in loss
The Tourism Development Corporation is operating a total of 55 hotels. Out of these, 35 hotels are running in loss and only 20 hotels are earning good profits. This information was given by the state government in response to a question by BJP MLA Sukhram Chaudhary in the monsoon session of the Assembly held in Shimla this month, while earlier in the budget session held in February, the government had informed the House that 24 tourism hotels were making profits and 31 were running in loss.
Due to losses, the hotel employees are getting their salary late every month. HPTDC hotels are lagging behind in competition with private hotels and bookings are constantly decreasing. Lack of staff in tourism hotels and lack of promotion are also considered to be the main reasons for the decline in business. The special thing is that in Himachal Pradesh, the tourism department is with the Chief Minister himself, while the responsibility of Tourism Development Corporation is being handled by the dynamic MLA Raghubir Singh Bali with cabinet rank as its chairman.
These hotels of Tourism Development Corporation are running in loss
According to the information given by the state government in the House in the month of February, the hotels of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation which are in loss include Hill Top Hotel in Bilaspur district. Apart from this, Hotel Iravati, Hotel Champak, Hotel Geetanjali, Hotel Manimahesh in Chamba district, Hotel Dhauladhar, Hotel Kashmir House, Hotel Kunal, Hotel Jwalaji, Hotel Nurpur, Hotel Yatri Niwas in Kullu district, Hotel Sarvari, Hotel Silver Moon, Hotel Manalsu, Hotel Hadimba, Hotel Chandrabhaga in Lahaul Spiti district, Hotel Spiti, Tourist Inn, Suket, Hotel Uhal, Hotel Mamleshwar in Mandi district, Hotel Golf Glade, Hotel Chanshal, Giri Ganga Resort, Hotel Apple Blossom in Shimla district, Tourist Inn Rajgarh, Hotel Yamuna in Sirmaur district, Hotel Baghal, Hotel Shivalik in Solan district and Hotel Chintapurni Heights in Una district are facing losses.
Report: UK Sharma
