ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Hotels and Guesthouses Action Committee on Tuesday announced a 20 per cent reduction in room rents across the state to boost the tourism sector, Dawn reported.
Addressing a press conference in Muzaffarabad, the chairman of the AJK hotels association, Raja Mohammad Ilyas, urged the government to declare Muzaffarabad and Neelum Valley as disaster-hit areas in view of recent floods and prolonged business stagnation.
Ilyas said the hotel industry remained the largest source of employment in AJK, but in recent years it had been badly hit by floods, inflation, the economic downturn, and rising energy prices.
He announced that the hotel industry has decided to reduce room rents by 20 per cent to directly benefit tourists and local customers. “If a room previously cost Rs1,000, it will now be available at Rs800.”
The hotel association chairman added that tourism activities in Muzaffarabad and Neelum have almost come to a standstill due to continuous rains, floods, and a lack of government support.
“No financial assistance or relief had so far been provided to the affected business community,” the chairman said.
He demanded that both districts be officially notified as calamity-hit zones so that traders, hoteliers, and daily wage earners could be compensated.
Referring to the recent reduction in electricity tariffs as a result of public struggle, the chairman appreciated the role of the JAAC and said the benefit should reach the common man rather than remain confined to the business community.
