PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam plans to revamp its website and online booking system to make reservations easier for tourists and provide clearer information on room availability. The corporation is also looking to introduce real-time booking tracking, while funds have been earmarked for repairs and maintenance of its older guest houses.
The GMVN managing director Sandeep Tiwari told The Pioneer that the proposed upgrades would improve the booking experience and help visitors access information about accommodation more conveniently.
The corporation operates 94 guest houses across Uttarakhand, with average occupancy ranging between 32 and 35 per cent during the current financial year, Tiwari said. The properties vary in size, with some offering around 20 rooms and others having 40 or more.
Guest houses in destinations such as Rishikesh, Mussoorie, Kanatal, Dehradun, Badrinath and Kedarnath have recorded relatively higher occupancy of 50 to 70 per cent.
Tiwari said that GMVN generated revenue of around Rs 23 crore between February and September 2026. The corporation’s annual turnover is approximately Rs 500 crore, he added. Alongside the proposed digital upgrades, GMVN is focusing on improving existing properties. The government has allocated Rs 4 crore for repairs to a guest house in Dehradun and Rs 3.5 crore for Bharat Bhoomi in Rishikesh. Routine maintenance and minor repairs are funded by the corporation itself.
Tiwari said that there was currently no proposal to expand the guest house network. The properties are under the Tourism Department, while GMVN is responsible for their operation and maintenance. Any partnership with private entities would be considered only with government approval.
