Tourists Shun Himachal This Winter Due To Heavy Taxes, Claims Former CM

Former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Jai Ram Thakur, has voiced his concern about the dwindling number of tourists choosing other states over Himachal Pradesh this winter. Thakur, representing the BJP, criticized the state government for imposing heavy taxes on commercial vehicles, which he believes are damaging the state's tourism industry.

Thakur highlighted that data from various organizations suggests that an alarming 90% of bookings for the winter season have been cancelled. The primary reason for this downturn, he argued, is the hefty road tax of Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 per day imposed on commercial vehicles registered in other states and operating within Himachal Pradesh, which came into effect on September 1.

The state government had previously promised to reduce the Special Road Tax (SRT) and other levies on tourist buses, tempo travellers, and commercial tourist vehicles registered outside the state, following discussions with the Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association. However, Thakur asserted that the taxes on tourist buses and tempo travellers continue to burden operators, adding an extra Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 for every four to five days of tour. This, he argued, has made Himachal Pradesh an unattractive destination for tourists and tour operators are excluding the state from their itineraries.

Thakur cautioned that if this situation persists, the income generated by the tourism sector will be severely affected, resulting in the loss of livelihoods for thousands of people associated with the industry.

Efforts have been made to communicate these concerns to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, and the tourism stakeholders have met with him. However, they allege that the government has not taken any meaningful steps to address the issue.