As the price of rice has soared to Rs 1,400 for a 25-kg bag, at the rate of Rs 56 per kg, hotels in the Queen of Hills are likely to hike the price of meals by about 20 per cent. A meal, which now costs Rs 50, will cost Rs 60 ahead of the tourist season.
A hotel manager said, “Last summer, the price of a meal was Rs 45. Last July, the price was increased by Rs 5 as the price of a 25-kg bag increased from Rs 950 to Rs 1,200.”
The price of meals is already Rs 100 at high-end hotels, which are also likely to increase the price. It may be noted that unlike other cities across the State, the number of meals hotels is limited in the tiny tourist town.
Further, the hotels here serve only limited meals at an enhanced rate.
The price of a plate of chicken biriyani has already been hiked from Rs 100 to Rs 120. Recently, the number of messes have mushroomed and they charge less than the hotels. Representatives of middle class hotels will meet next Friday and decide on the price increase.
The increase will not only affect tourists but also locals. N Siva, an employee of a private shop, said,“Unlike in the plains, the office goers and workers here don’t bring food from home as food becomes very cold and difficult to eat. Hence, we prefer to have lunch at hotels.”