A delegation from the All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association (ALHGHA), led by President Rigzin Wangmo Lachic, along with Vice Presidents Ghulam Mustafa and Nawang Tashi, met with Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on January 22 in New Delhi.

The meeting was facilitated with the support and guidance of Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) Adv. Tashi Gyalson.

During the interaction, the ALHGHA delegation submitted a formal letter to the Minister, outlining critical measures to rejuvenate Ladakh’s tourism sector. The letter emphasized two primary areas of intervention:
1.    Rebranding and Promoting Ladakh’s Tourism: The delegation stressed the need to position Ladakh as a year-round destination by promoting off-season tourism during spring, autumn, and winter. They urged leveraging national and international platforms such as Incredible India, Swadesh Darshan, and Dekho Apna Desh.
2.    Industrial Electricity Tariff for Tourism Businesses: The delegation requested the replacement of the current commercial electricity tariff with an industrial tariff for tourism-related businesses, recognizing tourism as the primary economic driver for Ladakh.

The Minister expressed his full support for the delegation’s concerns and facilitated a meeting with Mughda Sinha, Director General, Ministry of Tourism (MoT). The DG assured the delegation that Ladakh’s tourism promotion would be prioritized. Both the Minister and the DG emphasized the importance of establishing Ladakh as a key tourism destination, with a focus on off-season tourism to boost visitor numbers and strengthen the local economy.

The delegation expressed gratitude to the Minister, the DG, and CEC Adv. Tashi Gyalson for their commitment to the growth of Ladakh’s tourism industry.

President of ALHGHA, Rigzin Wangmo Lachic, stated, “Tourism is the backbone of Ladakh’s economy, and today’s discussions have instilled hope for the future. We look forward to collaborating with the government to implement the proposed measures and achieve sustainable growth for Ladakh’s tourism industry.”

The association reaffirmed its dedication to working alongside the Ministry of Tourism, the Hill Council, and other stakeholders to strengthen Ladakh’s position as a globally renowned tourism destination.