Kasauli bizmen say govt riders too stringent

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, July 4

The state government’s move to allow the entry of tourists with valid booking for a duration of at least five days has not gone well with hoteliers of the Kasauli Planning Area (KPA) who are reluctant to open their establishments.

The hoteliers said this was a stringent condition and would fail to attract tourists as similar conditions imposed by the Uttarakhand Government had failed to do any good. “This condition should be reduced to two-three days,” said Rocky Chimni, vice-president, Kasauli Residents and Hoteliers’ Association.

The condition to furnish lab reports for Covid 72 hours before entering the state was another handicap as such tests cost Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,500 — it will put more monetary burden on the visiting tourists. “A hotel booking is generally made well in advance and furnishing a Covid-19 test report 72 hours prior to entering Himachal will act as a deterrent,” added Chimni.

Adviser, Kasauli Hotel Association, Winnie Chadha said a systematic plan was required with instant testing at the borders.