SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to address the challenges faced by tourism stakeholders in renewing their registration certificates. KCCI has raised serious concerns over a recent notification issued by the Director of Tourism, Kashmir, which it says complicates the already cumbersome process and fails to consider stakeholder input.
The notification (No. Reg/1129/581/DTR dated December 21, 2024) has drawn criticism for requiring multiple clearances and NOCs from various departments, which stakeholders argue create unnecessary delays and hardships. Hoteliers, houseboat owners, guesthouse operators, and those in the tour and travel sector are among those significantly impacted. Despite the introduction of an online renewal system, KCCI has expressed disappointment that the process remains as complex as before, with stakeholders still required to navigate inter-departmental clearances.
The Chamber had previously proposed delinking the renewal process from NOC requirements, citing successful examples in other sectors like Income Tax and GST, where compliance mechanisms are streamlined without such burdensome formalities. KCCI emphasised that hotels and guest houses constructed under earlier regulatory frameworks are now being unfairly subjected to newer regulations, further compounding the challenges.
The Chamber has called for the suspension of the notification until a more efficient and workable solution is devised in consultation with stakeholders. They have also reiterated their earlier calls for targeted efforts to revitalise Kashmir’s tourism sector, which has seen a significant decline in arrivals since July 2024.
Highlighting the substantial inventory of hotels and guesthouses that remain underutilised, KCCI urged the government to intensify promotional campaigns to attract visitors and revive the industry. They stressed the need for sustained marketing initiatives to help bolster the local economy, which heavily depends on tourism.
KCCI’s appeal comes amidst growing frustration among tourism stakeholders, who hope for meaningful reforms to support and streamline operations in the region’s pivotal hospitality sector.
