Local operators facing difficulty in booking gondola tickets: KCCI
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)—Valley’s top business body—has requested the Jammu and Kashmir government to intervene in resolving critical challenges faced by local tour and travel operators due to the current online booking system for Gondola tickets in Gulmarg.
In a communication addressed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, KCCI highlighted several pressing concerns that are adversely affecting local tourism stakeholders.
The Chamber has expressed concerns “regarding limited ticket availability that restricts access for local tourism operators, inefficient management of the Tatkal quota which sells out within minutes, and potential collusion between Gondola personnel and certain online ticketing platforms.”
The difficulty in securing Gondola tickets has resulted in substantial business loss for local operators, who rely on these tickets to complete their travel packages and enhance tourist experiences in Kashmir, the body said.
Citing reports, KCCI said 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,” it said.
The trade body said the current online booking system is demonstrating serious operational flaws. The portal frequently crashes and becomes unresponsive during peak booking times, making it virtually impossible for local agents to secure necessary tickets for their clients, the KCCI said.
