Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 18: While alleging preferential access for non-local operators, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) today highlighted difficulties in securing Gondola tickets, leading to losses for local tour operators,
In a detailed communication to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, KCCI outlined several pressing concerns adversely affecting local tourism stakeholders.
“The difficulty in securing Gondola tickets has resulted in substantial business losses for local operators who rely on these tickets to complete their travel packages and enhance tourist experiences in Kashmir,” KCCI said.
The trade body said that the reports indicate that while 3,500 to 4,000 tickets are issued daily, local travel agents are unable to secure allocations even when requested days in advance.
“Non-local agencies allegedly appear to have preferential access to these tickets, creating a significant competitive disadvantage for local businesses.”
KCCI said the current online booking system is flawed, noting that the portal frequently crashes during peak booking times, “making it virtually impossible for local agents to secure necessary tickets for their clients.”
The Chamber expressed concerns over limited ticket availability restricting access for local tourism operators, inefficient management of the Tatkal quota-which, it said, sells out within minutes-and potential collusion between Gondola personnel and certain online ticketing platforms.
KCCI has also urged the Cyber Police to investigate IP addresses involved in mass ticket bookings to identify possible unfair practices.
The Chamber has called for a comprehensive review of the online booking system to ensure equitable access for all travel agencies.
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