The Federation of Himachal Hotels and Restaurant Associations in Shimla has called for immediate action against the dominance of touts, tourist guides, porters, and taxi drivers, saying that they discredit the state’s tourism industry, a news reports stated.

Drawing the attention of the government and the police to malpractices affecting tourism and allied industries in Himachal Pradesh, the Federation alleged that registered and unregistered tourist guides, porters, and taxi drivers are chasing tourist vehicles, stopping them and taking them to hotels in exchange for hefty commissions, causing traffic congestion. These people are scaring tourists and tarnishing the image of the state as a safe tourist destination, a local hotelier said.