At the height of festivals and weekends, hotel room rates in Digha have surged significantly, with some operators doubling or even tripling prices. The practice has triggered widespread complaints from tourists, prompting intervention by state authorities and local hoteliers.
Tourist Outrage: Advance Bookings No Longer a Guarantee
Holidaymakers with advance bookings have been unpleasantly surprised by inflated charges upon arrival. That’s led to growing frustration and dissatisfaction—so much so that the issue reached *Nabanna, the seat of West Bengal’s government. Chief Minister **Mamata Banerjee* expressed strong disapproval of these tactics, emphasizing the need to maintain regulated pricing.
CM Demands Regulation During Rath Yatra Event
During a Thursday meeting held in conjunction with the Digha Rath Yatra, Chief Minister Banerjee criticized arbitrary price hikes as unjustifiable. She asserted that room rates must remain fair and transparent, and promised that such exploitation “will not be tolerated”.
Digha Hoteliers Respond: Tariff Charts Made Mandatory
In the wake of the Chief Minister’s warning, the Digha–Shankarpur Hoteliers Association acted swiftly. Joint Secretary Bipradas Chakraborty confirmed that:
The complaints are “largely valid” due to some hotels overcharging.
A meeting took place on Saturday, June 14, where all member hotels were instructed to prominently display tariff charts.
“Any further violation would result in “stringent action.” “Tourists are the lifeblood of our hotel industry; mistreating them is unacceptable.”
Holiday peak Booking Frenzy & Oversight Intensified
With computed peak season driven by the Rath Yatra festival, hotel bookings in Digha have skyrocketed. To curb exploitative pricing, both the administration and hotel association are now enforcing tighter monitoring. Following the Chief Minister’s stern directives, hoteliers appear to have stepped up compliance.
As Digha welcomes tourists celebrating both relaxation and religious observances, transparent pricing and consumer protection remain at the forefront of the region’s hospitality policies.
