ALTOA, ALHGHA executive members call on Hon’ble Lt Governor Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd)

Leh, May 08, 2025: A delegation comprising executive members of All Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA) and All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association (ALHGHA) called on the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), at Raj Niwas. Chief Secretary, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS and Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Vikram Singh Malik, IAS, were present in the meeting.
The delegates apprised the HLG of the impact on the tourism sector in Ladakh due to the recent terrorist attack on civilians in Pahalgam, followed by the retaliatory action by the Indian armed forces in the form of Operation Sindoor. They informed that the tourism is as good as over, at least for the month of May, while uncertainty looms large over people engaged in the tourism sector for the remaining tourist season. They also informed that tourism was picking up in Ladakh, with a large number of tourists visiting Ladakh in March and April.
The delegates informed the HLG that there has been a near-total cancellation of bookings for the month of May. They also informed the HLG about the initiatives taken by ALHGHA and ALTOA, such as providing free accommodation to around 2,000 tourists who are currently stranded in Ladakh due to the cancellation of flights and arranging tempo travellers to drop tourists at Manali. They further informed that 25 tempo travellers have been arranged so far to drop tourists at Manali.
Keeping the current situation in mind, the delegates informed the HLG about the issues faced by them, particularly the payment of the instalment of loans availed by them to the bank and the hefty operational costs, such as the payment of the electricity bill. They requested the HLG’s intervention in extending the last date to pay the instalment of electricity bills of hotels, guest houses and other business establishments. They also requested the HLG’s intervention in getting clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs for the usage of satellite phones in remote areas, as they come in handy in emergencies, such as rescue operations.
The delegates informed the HLG about the issues faced by hotels/guest houses in paying hefty commercial electricity bills levied on them. They requested the HLG to look at adopting the model of other states/UTs, such as Andaman/Rajasthan, for charging electricity bills for commercial establishments to reduce the financial burden on them. The delegates also highlighted the need for further promotion of Ladakh tourism to attract more tourists to the region.
There was also discussion on installing solar roof tops on commercial establishments such as hotels and guest houses by providing incentives to reduce financial burden on them, and the arrangement of Familiarisation (FAM) Tours.
Commending ALTOA and ALHGHA for their initiatives for the welfare of tourists in the current situation, the HLG reiterated UT Administration’s commitment to the welfare of the people of Ladakh who are engaged in the tourism sector for their livelihood. He assured that members of ALTOA and ALHGHA would get full support from the Tourism Department of UT Ladakh to promote Ladakh tourism across the country. He asked Chief Secretary, Dr Pawan Kotwal, to take up the matter of getting clearance for the usage of satellite phone with the concerned officials in MHA.
The HLG asked Secretary of PDD and Tourism Department Vikram Singh Malik, IAS, to prepare a draft as soon as possible, keeping the Andaman/Rajasthan electricity bill model in mind so that a suitable decision can be taken, which is in accordance with the Hon’ble Supreme Court rulings, for the benefit of hoteliers and guest house owners.