A meeting regarding tourism-related issues as well as capacity building/training of hoteliers, guest house owners, taxi drivers, and other individuals engaged in the tourism sector was convened by Rigzin Samphel, Commissioner Secretary, Tourism, Ladakh on June 10.

Tourism is one of the main sources of income generation observed that it has a multiplier effect on the economy of the land. He said that in the wake of current situation triggered by COVID-19, as per the SOPs/Guidelines issued for tourism sector by Ministry of Home Affairs GoI, Ladakh is now open for tourists to enter Ladakh with stringent follow-up of all the precautionary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19,

The meeting deliberated in detail about the tourism-related projects in both the districts such as the riverfront, conventional centre, beautification projects, and conservation & heritage projects and other issues related to simplification of registration policy. Designing of calendars, maps, and apps for tourists were also discussed.

He further enquired about the tourist registrations in Leh and Kargil districts. Concerned officials were directed to provide capacity building/training of hoteliers, guest house owners, taxi drivers, and other persons engaged in the tourism sector.

The travel & trade representatives of Ladakh raising their concern had a detailed discussion regarding issues such as safety measures, plan of action in the wake of detection of COVID-19 positive guests at their hotel/ guest house, inner line permits, vehicle sanitization, social distancing, and other issues.

Assistant Director, Tourism Leh, Jigmet Namgyal, representatives of ALTOA, Hotels & Guest House Association, Ladakh Mountain Guide, and Taxi Union Leh attended the meeting. Assistant Director, Tourism Kargil, Aga Syed Toha, AKTTA, and representatives of allied sectors also joined the meeting through video conference.