UTDB issues five year license to rafting operators for operating campsites from this tourist season

The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has issued a five year license to rafting operators to operate rafting campsites from this tourist season. This information was provided by A K Singh, Joint Director, UTDB. UTDB has already issued the five year license to 107 rafting operators out of which two are from the public sector. This five year license has been issued on the request of rafting operators in the state.

The five year license has come as a measure of relief for rafting operators in the state who have been protesting for months against the earlier rule of issuing license of just one year for operating campsites. Adventure Tour Operators Association (ATOAI) and Indian Association of Professional Rafting Outfitters (IAPRO) had taken up the issue with the Government of India, Uttarakhand government, the state tourism department and state Forest Department to provide license for a period of ten years.

Rafting operators claimed that renewal of license every season (September- June) was detrimental to business. According to the operators today tourists are booking a year in advance, especially foreign clients