For now, forget using the easy to use apps and portals like Goibibo and Make my trip to book your stays at any possible hotels.
The Sikkim Boycott
Various hotels in the Sikkim region were already in disagreement with Hotel booking apps. Well, now, it’s all gone a level up. They have decided to completely boycott all these hotel aggregators. A statement by the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) says that it is because of unfair and discriminatory business practiced by these websites. This includes monopolistic practices, high discounts, and exorbitant commissions as well.
The Process
As a start, the hotel industry has decided to inform all its members regarding the decision. It is to ensure no acceptance of any booking using these portals, after the 16th of January, 2019. They are also looking at the termination of various existing contracts due to the same concerns.
The Customers
However, the industry going with its policy of customer service first has confirmed that any past bookings made by these portals for a stay, currently or even after the 16th of January will be followed through. This is all done to ensure zero harassment and inconvenience to customers visiting the region during the season.
The Boycott is going to be continued and seems to be going strong. All online inventory access of hotels to these online websites have been closed but the latter is still accepting bookings. These bookings would actually work negatively for customers who may or may not be given their hotel stay.
