Shimla. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) must adopt proactive approach and think out of box to ensure that all the units of HPTDC becomes profit making ventures. This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the 156th Meeting of Board of Directors of HPTDC, here today. Chief Minister said that the tariff of hotels must be reviewed and revised by keeping an eye on the tariff of the other hotels situated in the vicinity. He said that the Corporation must also re-engineer its menu by introducing new dishes in its units and removing unnecessary items. He said that this would help in competing with other restaurants in the vicinity. Jai Ram Thakur said that the officers of the Corporation should study tourism units of other States to bring desired results. He said that steps should also be initiated to increase occupancy of hotel upto 50 percent. He said that Corporation has earned revenue of Rs. 35.56 crore and incurred an expenditure of Rs. 73.76 crore for the period from 1st April, 2020 to 28th February, 2021. He said that this was due to covid-19 pandemic which resulted in huge losses to the tourism industry.
Chief Minister said that Kunzum, Manali and Hotel Holiday Home, Shimla should be renovated so as to attract tourists in the prime properties of the Corporation. He said that stress must be laid on effective marketing of hotels to reach out to the consumers. He said that greater use of new media must be ensured for attracting maximum tourists. Jai Ram Thakur also felt the need for creating parameters and goals so that they could be achieved in a professional way so that units could be made economically viable.Managing Director, HPTDC Kumud Singh welcomed the Chief Minister and conducted the proceedings of the meeting.
Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, Additional Chief Secretaries Prabodh Saxena and J.C. Sharma, Secretary Tourism Devesh Kumar and other senior officers attended the meeting.
