Registration of hotel-keepers, travel agents to be renewed after 3 years: J&K admin

Srinagar, Oct 13: The Jammu and Kashmir government has unveiled proposed amendments to the 1979 Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Trade Rules, with the goal of boosting tourism and simplifying regulations.
These amendments are now open for public review, as announced in a notice from Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary to the Government Tourism Department. After a 15-day public feedback period, the revised rules will be evaluated for implementation.
As per the notification, in rule 3 the table of fees shall be substituted by the table appended to this notification; in the second proviso, the word “annual” shall be omitted and the following note shall be added at the end; namely “The Government in the Tourism Department may review and revise the fee structure after such interval of time as it may deem appropriate”.
In rule 17, the following proviso shall be added; namely: “Provided that the same shall not apply in respect of the applicants having a degree/ diploma or a certificate course (minimum 3 months) in the tourism and travel management/ hospitality sector.Rule 23 shall be substituted by the following every certificate of registration issued in favour of the dealer, hotel keeper, travel agent, excursion agent shall be renewed after a period of three years. However, this shall not take away the powers of the prescribed authority to suspend/cancel the certificate of registration in case of Violation of the Act/Rules, even before the prescribed period of three years.
In rule 24, sub-rule (2) for the words “annual renewal, the words “renewal every 3 years” shall be substituted.
Further, the Tourism Department has proposed Rs 5000 as a registration fee and renewal fee for services such as Adventure and Sport tour Operator, Dry Fruit/ Saffron/ Cold Drink/ Dealer, Haji and Umrah service operators, Restaurants, and travel agents.
Rs 1000 has been set as a registration fee and renewal fee for services such as Paying Guest House/Homestay, Photographer, Photographer Hawker, Sledge Walla, Taxi Shikara Boat Owner, Tea Stall, Tourist Guide, and Dhaba.
An Rs 10000 has been set as registration fee and renewal fee for Hotel (A); 8000 for Hotel (B), and Rs 6000 for Hotel (C). Rs 3000 has been set as a registration and renewal fee for Houseboat (A); Rs 2500 for Houseboat (B), Rs 2000 for Houseboat (C), and Rs 1000 for Houseboat (D).