Shimla, Aug. 25 -- Tourism industry workers and locals in Himachal Pradesh protested near the Vidhan Sabha on Monday against the decision to shift the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) head office from Shimla to Dharamshala.

The tour operators braved the rains while staging a protest near Chaura Maidan, demanding that the issue be discussed in the Assembly and the relocation decision be revoked. The demonstration was organised by local tourism stakeholders and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).

Harish Vyas, President of the Shimla Guide and Travel Agents' Union, told ANI that the move was "politically motivated" and would adversely impact thousands dependent on tourism in Shimla.

"The HPTDC head office has...