Leh, Feb 18: Tourism was opened in 1974 for Ladakh and at that time only 527 tourists visited Ladakh. But day-by-day in tourism boomed and it became great income of source in Leh. Last year more then 51000 tourists visited Leh and this year since Jan 2008, being coldest year till date, about 200 tourists arrived in Leh via Delhi by air.
 Presently, Leh offers a variety of accommodations to suite every customer segment. Most hotels are family run establishments and as such the service are more personalized. The professional hotels are classified in A B C and D categories.
 There are all kinds of hotels and guesthouses wherein all kinds of facilities are available but during winter when the mercury goes as low as minis 35C degree the hotels and guesthouses remain closed albeit some function.
 This year a star hotel The Grand Dragon Ladakh came up in the heart of Leh city. The hotel with traditional design has all five star facilities and centrally heated system. The dining hall of the hotel depicts a traditional Ladakhi Art. Other facilities include deluxe rooms, royal suites, facilities like LCD, 24 hour cable network. The hotel has coffee shop, conference hall and banquet hall.
 The hotel is running from November 2007.
 Chief executive councilor LAHDC Tsering Dorjay said: “We are providing all possible facilities for tourism and construction of such STAR hotels is a great step towards tourism promotion.”
 Assistant director tourism Nissar Hussain said 51000 tourists visited Leh during 2007-08 and “we hope this year more tourist will come.”
 There are two famous festivals where lots of tourist are expected to visit to Leh The festivals are: SANGHAY KHABABS (also known as SINDHU DARSHAN)  which will be held in the month of June and another one is LEH festival to be held in September.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 IST