Partnership with online travel giant aims to boost bookings, revenue, and tourism experience
Pallavi Sharma
DHARAMSHALA: In a significant move to modernise and expand its reach, the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) has entered into a major partnership with online travel platform MakeMyTrip. The collaboration will now allow tourists to book government-run hotels in Himachal Pradesh directly through the MakeMyTrip app and website, simplifying the reservation process and improving visibility for HPTDC properties.
The agreement was announced by Raghubir Singh Bali, Cabinet-ranked Chairman of the HPTDC, who stated that MakeMyTrip has already provided an advance payment of Rs 2 crore as part of the deal.
56 HPTDC hotels to go live on MakeMyTrip
Under the agreement, 56 HPTDC hotels across the state — many of which are located at prime tourist destinations — will now be available for online booking on MakeMyTrip’s platform. This move marks the first time that the government-run hospitality chain has partnered with a private travel portal at this scale.
“This partnership is a win-win,” said Bali. “It will not only help increase the HPTDC’s turnover but also pave the way for the corporation to move toward profitability. The state government, in turn, will benefit from increased revenue, while travellers get an easier, more professional booking experience.”
Bali added that feedback collected via online platforms will also help improve the quality of services offered across HPTDC properties.
The partnership ensures assured business for HPTDC as MakeMyTrip will pre-book rooms in advance, providing the tourism body with a stable and predictable revenue stream. This comes at a time when HPTDC is working to reposition itself amid growing competition from the private hospitality sector.
Despite not receiving direct financial assistance from the state government to date, HPTDC has managed to maintain a strong presence across the region. Bali stated that if Asian Development Bank (ADB) funding is approved, the government hopes to upgrade several HPTDC properties to five-star standards, capitalizing on their strategic locations.
Government holds off leasing of select properties
Meanwhile, the earlier decision by the Himachal Cabinet to lease out 14 HPTDC hotels and restaurants on an “Operate and Manage” (O&M) basis has seen a partial reversal. Six properties, including Roscommon Old (Kasauli), Apple Blossom (Fagu), Sarvari (Kullu), Lakeview (Bilaspur), Mamleshwar (Chindi), and Chanchal (Rohru), have been temporarily exempted from being handed over to private operators.
“While we’ve received communication from the government regarding the six properties, any final decision on leasing still rests with the Cabinet,” Bali clarified.
Once the sole hospitality option in remote regions like Kinnaur and Chamba, the HPTDC is now reinventing itself for the digital era. With more than Rs 100 crore in profit recorded last year, the corporation is investing in modern technology, strategic partnerships and guest-centric service models to stay competitive.
“In today’s fast-paced tourism market, we must focus on delivering high-quality, professional services,” said Bali. “This partnership with MakeMyTrip is a big step in that direction.”
