Amity Research Journal of Tourism, Aviation and Hospitality Vol. 01, issue 01, January-June 2016 Existing Tourism Infrastructure and Services in Lahaul Valley of Himachal Pradesh: A Case Study of Hotels / Guest Houses, Home Stays and Travel Agencies Dr. Arvind Kumar Project Fellow-UGC-SAP DRS Level-I (Tourism), Institute of Vocational (Tourism) Studies, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla (H.P.) PIN-171005, E-mail: [email protected] Abstract The district has occupied an area of Lahaul valley of Himachal Pradesh is one of approximately 3979 metres. The district has the geographically restricted valleys of India. been divided into two division i.e. Lahaul and It remains blocked by Rohtang pass (approx. Spiti. The Lahaul valley is popular among 3979 metres) during winters for almost six adventure tourists during summers and months. During remaining six months tourists monsoon season in India. Geographically, it is make their passage to different tourist places one of the beautiful valleys of the country. It is in Lahaul up to Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. home to numerous tourist attractions like Their passage is assisted by tourist Chnadra and Bhaga rivers, their collision at a infrastructure and services available within the place namely Tandi, Udaipur, Miyar village, valley. The research study has utilized Trilokinath village, Keylong, Guru Ghantal secondary information obtained from office of Monastery, Jispa, Zanskar Sumdo, Shingola deputy director of tourism and civil aviation, pass, Patseo, Baralacha pass, Sarchu, Sissu, Kullu at Manali to assess the existing tourism Koksar and Lady of Keylong glacier etc. Due infrastructure and services within the valley. to Rohtang pass closure, the valley remains The study has revealed that there are 21 hotels closed for almost six months and tourists have and guest houses in Lahaul tourist area. Out of visited the place only during summers till which 15 are located in Keylong (district November hardly. Numerous tourists make headquarter) only and remaining 6 in different their passage through the valley up to Leh. villages located within the valley. There are Their passage is assisted by different tourism only 7 home stays in Lahaul valley in seven infrastructure and services available within the different villages. Further, there are 10 travel valley. Tourism infrastructure is comprised of agencies in Lahaul, out of which 9 are situated different hotels / guest houses, home stays and in Keylong and one in Shooling. All the above travel agencies. Besides, hardcore tourist hotels / guest houses, home stays and travel lodges, a major portion of tourists is assisted agencies are registered under Deputy Director by different tents and camping sites. tourism and civil aviation office, Kullu at Adventure loving tourists not only get Manali. The expected increase in tourist beautiful memories of staying in the lap of inflow after the construction of Rohtang tunnel nature, but also promoted eco-friendly and would surely enhance the existing tourism temporary tourist establishments. Banking infrastructure and services within the valley. services, medical services, local restaurants Keywords: Tourism infrastructure, services, and dhaba`s at district headquarter (Keylong) hotels, home stays and travel agencies. and many other tourist spots within the valley, equally supports tourists. Although, there is no Introduction hotel chains and modern restaurants but existing hotels and restaurants are catering Lahaul Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh has tourists in satisfactory manners. The tourist been the largest districts of Himachal Pradesh. traffic remains only for six months within the valley. However, in coming years, after the 71 Amity Research Journal of Tourism, Aviation and Hospitality Vol. 01, issue 01, January-June 2016 construction of Rohtang tunnel the existing (wto.org, 2012). One of the objectives of tourism infrastructure and services would tourism introduction in upper reaches of surely increase. Himachal Pradesh has been the generation of better employment opportunities, Review of literature infrastructure and services to cater local residents as well as the visitors, (Gopal K. The review of literature for the research study Bhargawa and S.C. Bhatt, 2006). has been elaborated under various sub- divisions as follows: Hotels Tourism infrastructure A hotel is an establishment that Infrastructure is basic physical provides lodging, paid on a short-term basis. and organizational structures needed for the The provision of basic accommodation, in operation of a society or enterprise or times past, consisting only of a room with a reproductive system as well as the services and bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with facilities necessary for an economy to modern facilities, including en-suite function. It is also the set of interconnected bathrooms and air conditioning or climate structural elements that provide framework control. Additional common features found in supporting an entire structure of development. hotel rooms are a telephone, an alarm clock, a It is an important term for judgement of a television, a safe, a mini-bar with snack foods country or region's development, and drinks, and facilities for making tea and coffee. Luxury features includes bathrobes and (Wikipedia.org, 2012). Tourism infrastructure slippers, a pillow menu, twin-sink vanities, is the physical element that is created or made and jacuzzi bathtubs. Larger hotels also to cater for visitors (Davidson, 1993). Tourist provide additional guest facilities such as a infrastructure comprises of both ‘soft’ and swimming pool, fitness centre, business ‘hard’ infrastructure. Tourism business centre, childcare, conference facilities and encourages host government to make social function services, (Wikipedia.org, infrastructure improvements such as better 2012). HPTDC has been one of the premier body for tourism infrastructure development in roads, water, sewerage system etc. all of which Himachal Pradesh i.e. hotels, guest houses and improves the quality of life of local resorts etc., (David L. Gladstone, 2013). population, (Manoj Jreat, 2004). Himachal Guest Houses Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation has been making efforts to create necessary A guest house (also guesthouse) is a kind infrastructure for healthy growth of tourism in of lodging. In some parts of the world a guest house is similar to a hostel, bed and breakfast, Himachal Pradesh. However, upper reaches of or inn, whereas in other parts of the world the state have been less developed due to (such as for example the Caribbean), guest geographical barriers, (Manjit Singh, 2004). houses position themselves as a type of inexpensive hotel-like lodging. In still others, Tourism services it is a private home which is converted for the exclusive use of guest accommodation. The Tourism and travel-related services include owners usually live in an entirely separate area services provided by hotels and restaurants within the property and the guest houses are (including catering), travel agencies and tour serving as a form of lodging business, operator services, tourist guide services and (Wikipedia.org, 2012). other related services. One of the most crucial aspects of international tourism is the cross- Home stays border movement of consumers. This permits even unskilled workers in remote areas to Home stay is a form of tourism or study become services exporters — for instance, by abroad that allows a visitor to rent a room selling craft items, performing in cultural from a local family in a homelike setting. It is shows, or working in a tourism lodge, sometimes used for improving language skills 72 Amity Research Journal of Tourism, Aviation and Hospitality Vol. 01, issue 01, January-June 2016 and getting familiar with the local Lahaul & Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba have lifestyle. Home stays can occur anywhere in remained derived from provisions of different the world, but certain countries have been updated tourism infrastructure and services. encouraging home stays as a means of One main reason behind lesser tourism developing their tourism industry. Hosting a infrastructure and services has been limited home stay allows the local family to earn tourist inflows towards upper reaches of the income. Students tend to arrange a home stay state. with their school or educational institution, but they can also informally arrange to stay with a family through social connections as well as through a variety of private agencies. There Research design are a number of online home stays agencies The research study has utilized secondary that connect students with hosts families all information obtained through Right to over the world, usually for a nominal fee, Information Act, from Office of Deputy (Wikipedia.org, 2012). Community based eco- Director tourism and civil aviation office, tourism in Himachal Pradesh has been Kullu at Manali. Further, the study has also identified for the promotion and benefits of utilized the information obtained from official local communities at different tourist website of Himachal tourism. destinations. Active promotion of home-stays in rural areas as a mean of accommodation for tourists is the prime objective under the project, (Equitable tourism options, 1985). Objective of the study The main objective of the study was to find out the existing tourism infrastructure and Travel Agencies services within the Lahaul tourist area. The travel agency represents a commercial