Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, May 20: Amid record breaking tourist footfall this year, complaints of fraud, overcharging are pouring in from tourists in the Valley.
The tourists said that some hoteliers, restaurant owners, Shikara Walla and other associated persons are taking undue advantage of the rush and overcharge them, bringing disrepute to hospitality of Kashmir.
“Some hoteliers are providing rooms at much higher rates, taking undue advantage of the situation. This needs to be checked at the earliest, otherwise it will give bad name to entire Kashmir,” they said.
A tourist from Mumbai who is in Kashmir for last 45 days suggested that stakeholders must provide their services at genuine rates and that will attract more and more tourists here.
“I have learned so many things here like how some hoteliers, shikara wallas besides transporters are restoring to exploitation and loot by taking 2 to 3 times more amount than the actual,” he added.
Meanwhile, stakeholders acknowledged that some unscrupulous elements are restoring to exploitation and demanded the practice should be stopped forthwith.
They added that some tourists are being robbed as there is nexus between some shikara owners and showrooms who have been working on commission basis with each other.
Secretary JKTDC Sarmad Hafeez acknowledged that some unscrupulous elements are trying to take undue advantage but the department is working to identify these elements and take them to task.
“We have been conducting meeting with all stakeholders especially associations so as to check these things,” he said, adding that rate lists besides contact numbers of task force have been already displayed everywhere so that complainants can directly contact them.
“Tourists must cooperate with the department and we assure them whosoever will resort to fraud or overcharging will face action under law,” he said.
