A delegation comprising executive members of the All Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA) and the All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association (ALHGHA) called on the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd.), at Raj Niwas on May 8. Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal and Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Vikram Singh Malik were also present during the meeting.

The delegation apprised the LG of the adverse impact on Ladakh’s tourism sector following the recent terrorist attack on civilians in Pahalgam and the subsequent Operation Sindoor carried out by the Indian armed forces. They conveyed that the incident has brought tourism in the region to a virtual halt, especially for the month of May, with widespread uncertainty clouding the remaining tourist season. The delegates noted that tourism had been steadily recovering, with a significant influx of tourists in March and April.

They informed the LG about a near-total cancellation of bookings for May and briefed him on the proactive steps taken by ALHGHA and ALTOA. These include providing free accommodation to approximately 2,000 stranded tourists and arranging transport to Manali. So far, 25 tempo travellers have been mobilised for this purpose.

The delegation raised concerns regarding the financial stress faced by stakeholders in the sector, particularly in repaying bank loans and managing operational expenses such as high electricity bills. They requested the LG’s intervention in extending the payment deadlines for electricity bills applicable to hotels, guest houses, and other tourism-related establishments. They also sought his support in obtaining clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the use of satellite phones in remote areas, highlighting their importance during emergency situations like rescue operations.

The delegates urged the LG to address the burden of commercial electricity tariffs levied on hospitality establishments and suggested adopting models from other states and UTs, such as Andaman and Rajasthan, to ease financial pressure. They also stressed the need for renewed promotion of Ladakh as a tourist destination to attract more visitors.

Discussions also included proposals for installing solar rooftop systems on hotels and guest houses, with government incentives to help reduce long-term operational costs. The need for organising Familiarisation (FAM) tours to promote tourism was also brought up.

Commending ALTOA and ALHGHA for their commendable efforts in supporting stranded tourists, the LG reiterated the UT Administration’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of those dependent on the tourism sector for their livelihood. He assured the delegation of full support from the UT Ladakh Tourism Department in promoting tourism across the country.

The LG directed Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal to take up the matter of satellite phone clearance with the relevant MHA authorities. He also instructed Secretary of Power Development Department and Tourism, Vikram Singh Malik, to urgently prepare a draft proposal—based on the Andaman and Rajasthan electricity billing models—for review and decision-making in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines, aimed at providing relief to hoteliers and guest house owners.