Hotel Rooms In Srinagar Among The Most Expensive Globally 

Comparison reveals that room rent in Srinagar near five times the tariff in Delhi for similar hotel profile

Zafar Iqbal Manhas, a literary critic, recently returned from Turkey after two months. On landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport at New Delhi, he was asked to strictly adhere to Covid protocol as a new variant Omicron was spreading fast. Zafar was given a choice for the compulsory quarantine period. He could stay at a designated Covid center or in an isolated room at any hotel in Delhi for the specified number of days. Zafar stayed in a five star hotel in New Delhi. He said the tariff was affordable and the service provided by the hotel was good.

On his return to Srinagar after the quarantine period ended, Zafar had to arrange a room for a visitor in Srinagar. He enquired about the occupancy in The Lalit Grand Palace Srinagar at Gupkar Road. He was shocked to discover that the tariff at Grand Lalit was five times higher than what he paid in the five star hotel at New Delhi. Zafar’s friend, a frequent traveler to foreign destinations, informed him that the tariff at The Lalit Grand Palace Srinagar was much higher than five-star hotels in European destinations. The reviews posted on online platforms by the visitors to the hotel are a mixed bag. While some visitors were very happy, others complained of bad rooms, cracking paint and poor hospitality.

Here is the comparison of tariff levied by some leading hotels of Srinagar vis a vis some leading hotels of Delhi or Jammu.

The Lalit Grand Palace Srinagar

The Lalit, New Delhi

Taj Vivanta Srinagar, Taj Vivanta Delhi 

Radisson Srinagar, Radisson Jammu, Radisson Delhi

Tariffs imposed by other five star hotels in Srinagar 

The Orchard Retreat and Spa, Srinagar

The Mascot Houseboats

The comparison of the charges levied by Lalit Grand Palace in Srinagar versus The Lalit at New Delhi reveals that the tariff in Srinagar is much higher. When asked about the high charges, the hotel staff said that the hotel is constructed over 835 acres approximately. A lot of the money is spent on the maintenance of the gardens. In keeping with the overall regular expenditure of the hotel, their charges are adequate.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Takes Note Of High Hotel Tariff

Taking into view the hefty sums charged from tourists and others by the hotels in Kashmir, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir chaired a meeting on December 9, 2021 for fixation of rates of hotels, pony rides, cabs, sledges etc. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioners of Baramulla and Anantnag; ADC Ganderbal; Managing director JKTDC; Director Tourism; Chief Executive Officers of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg Development Authorities and Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir. Director Tourism was given directions to fix the rates for hotels, ponies, vehicles etc., which should be notified within a week’s time. The Divisional Commissioner instructed the Director of Tourism to ensure that the tariffs that are finally agreed and determined are strictly applied beginning January 1, 2022, so that tourists are not inconvenienced or exploited. It was also decided that the Director of Tourism would fix the tariffs quarterly for the entire year, with maximum and minimum slabs. The Divisional Commissioner said that rates will be fixed for a period of 3 years with a fixed percentage of annual increase as per the market. It was further added that the rates for hotels should be fixed according to the categorization of hotels so that the tourists will not be forced to bargain.

Jammu and Kashmir Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1978 

The Jammu and Kashmir Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1978; Part III, Section 15; Fixation of Rate

This section specifies that the Government shall by a notification fix the rate and service charged by the hotels for boarding and lodging or both. While fixing the charges, the recommendations are to be made by a committee the composition of which is prescribed. While recommending the rate and service charges, the committee shall take into account the standard of the hotel, accommodation and services provided by and the quality of food served by it to the customers. A notification to this effect under the J&K Registration of Tourist Trade Act 1978/82/2011 read with SRO 198 dated 08.06.2012, Director Tourism, Kashmir. The rates have been noted for the year 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 according to the notification which has been issued in pursuance to the approval conveyed by the Government vide endorsement No. TSM/Estt-117/2021 dated 09.12.2021. (Notification no. 01/TDK of 2021, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Tourism Department, TRC, Srinagar. Dated 15.12.2021) It can be observed that the notification only contains the details of fixed charges on services like  Tourist Guides, Ski Guides, Mountain/Trekking Guides, Sledges, Ski equipment, Ice Skating, Ice Skating equipment, rafting, cycling, Zorbing, Hydro Zorbing, Snow Mobile, ATV, Motorbiking, Paragliding, Motor Boats, Bathing Boats, Labour/Helper/Mazdoor/Porter for trekking at high altitude, Flat water rafting boating, Paddle Boat Riding, Bungee Trampoline, Mechanical Mad-bull, Golf Cart ride, Zip Line, Hot Air Balloon, Battery Operated Vehicles at Sonmarg, Shikara rides at Dal, Nigeen and Manasbal lakes for various durations, pony rides for various durations and various tracks including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg, Yousmarg, Doodpathri and Ahrabal, photography of various kinds and other related services. There are no slabs or upper limit provided for room tariff that can be charged from hotels.