To check fleecing, tourism dept fixes profit margins for service providers

MANALI: To stop harassment and overcharging of tourists visiting Kullu-Manali, the tourism department has decided to fix profit/commission on all services related to tourism activities. With this, department is hoping for decrease in costs of tour packages and increase in tourist arrivals.
"We have received multiple complaints of overcharging from tourists.Many travel agents, guides and other service providers at times charge unusually high from tourists. Fixing of commission will definitely control this malpractice," said tourism and civil aviation deputy director Ashwani Kumar. He also gave instances of travel agents offering bookings in luxury hotels but lodging visitors at a cheap lodge.
According to the new plan, an agent cannot charge more than 15% commission on hotel, taxi, bus, air, rail or other services. Even the maximum commission on adventure activities including trekking, zipline, rappelling, rock climbing, ATV, snow scooters and horse riding has been fixed at 15%. "The profit is fixed after a thorough study under Section 32 of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development and Registration Act, 2002. Any objections or suggestions in this matter would be considered till the next 15 days," added Kumar.
The department has also fixed wages for guides and porters of trekking and mountain expeditions. "A senior guide having a minimum experience of 10 years is eligible to get wages of Rs 500 per day for easy trek, Rs 1,500 per day for medium trek and Rs 3,000 per day for tough trek or expedition. A porter would get Rs 400, Rs 500 and Rs 700 per day for easy, medium and tough trekking respectively," he said.
Similarly, tourist guide will get wages of Rs 1,000 per day and junior guide will get wages of Rs 500 per day. Ashwani Kumar added that at present the above rates are applicable in Kullu-Manali only.