Leh, Mar 13: Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on Thursday said the administration will examine concerns raised by tourism stakeholders and take steps to strengthen sustainable tourism in the region, while directing departments to work in coordination to address operational challenges faced by the sector.
The assurance came during a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary with tourism stakeholders at the Conference Hall of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) in Leh earlier this week.
Representatives of tourism associations, tour operators and hoteliers raised a range of issues affecting the tourism economy, including high airfares, limited flight capacity, regulatory bottlenecks and operational concerns linked to the Tourism Department’s online portal.
Air connectivity emerged as a major concern during the deliberations. Stakeholders informed the administration that limited flight availability and rising airfares were discouraging potential visitors and affecting tourist inflow to Ladakh. They urged the administration to explore mechanisms to increase flight frequency, particularly during the peak tourist season.
Taking note of the issue, the Chief Secretary directed the concerned authorities to examine options to improve air connectivity and expand flight operations to the region.
Concerns were also raised regarding the Tourism Department’s online portal. Representatives suggested that the platform should focus primarily on registration, information dissemination and promotion of Ladakh tourism.
They cautioned that allowing the portal to function as a booking platform could adversely affect local tour operators and hospitality businesses that rely on direct bookings for their livelihood.
Regulatory procedures related to hotel registration and re-registration were also discussed during the meeting, particularly in relation to tourism units in Nubra Valley. Stakeholders pointed to operational challenges linked to clearances from the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee, fire safety approvals and electricity connections, urging improved coordination among departments to streamline the process.
Environmental infrastructure requirements also figured prominently in the discussions. Tourism operators highlighted the financial burden associated with installing Sewage Treatment Plants for properties with more than 19 rooms.
Responding to the concerns, the Chief Secretary stated that the administration would examine the possibility of extending subsidies for such installations. The meeting also reviewed issues related to faecal sludge management, sanitation and the need for coordinated action among departments and local bodies to maintain cleanliness in tourist areas.
The issue of regional connectivity within Ladakh was also taken up, with discussions focusing on the proposed airport facility in Nubra Valley. The Chief Secretary directed the concerned authorities to take necessary steps to make the facility operational at the earliest to enhance access to the region.
Deliberations further covered Ladakh’s homestay policy, tourism-related subsidies and the need for stronger promotion of Ladakh tourism at national and international levels, including initiatives aimed at expanding winter and adventure tourism.
Stakeholders also raised concerns regarding restrictions on foreign tourists in certain areas of Ladakh. The Chief Secretary informed the meeting that the matter would be taken up with the concerned ministry for further consideration.
Officials present at the meeting included Secretary Tourism Sanjit Rodrigues, Secretary Information Technology Shashanka Ala, Additional Secretary Tourism Mandeep Mittal, Director Tourism Tsering Paldan, Assistant Director Tourism Leh Padma Angmo and Assistant Director Tourism Kargil Muhammad Ali Tak, along with representatives of the All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association, the All Ladakh Tour Operators Association, the All Kargil Travel and Trade Association and the Ladakh Mountain Guides Association
