Coronavirus outbreak: 80% residents rip up travel plans in Prayagraj

PRAYAGRAJ: With the increasing number of coronavirus cases around the world, residents of the Sangam city have decided to cancel their foreign trips. Around 80 percent people who planned their vacations in Europe and America and made their bookings in advance have either cancelled or postponed their trips due to the fear of coronavirus.
City based tour operators claimed they have never witnessed such downfall in the tourism industry as people have put their domestic and international trips on hold.
Organizers of tours and travels companies, meanwhile, claimed that coronavirus scare has disrupted the tourism industry as around 80 percent of travellers from city have either cancelled or postponed their trips. The travellers have asked the tour operators to put their travel plans on hold till May.
Rahul Khare, owner of Holidays Unlimited said, “More than 80 percent people, who have made bookings for Europe, Thailand, Macau, Canada and other parts of the world, have cancelled their trips. The virus has also left a severe impact on the domestic tours & travels groups.
“Majority of bookings made by domestic or international tourists have been put on hold and organizers are finding it difficult to check the expenses. We have no idea when will the situation become normal,” said the manager of a local tours & travels unit.
Atul Pandey, who had plans to spend his vacation in Italy, has now cancelled his trip which was scheduled in the last week of March. He said, “We were scared of the coronavirus outbreak and would think over it once the situation becomes normal. We had made prior bookings in mid December but now none of us wants to go anywhere in world.”
Besides, restriction on travel between China and India has impacted the bookings particularly of businessmen travelling to China for business deals. The industry is closely monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, restriction on imports from China has hit the auto industry in Sangam city as the availability of limited stock has jacked up the prices of auto parts and accessories. As a result, the customers have to shell out extra 15 to 20 percent amount to get auto accessories like body covers, steering cover and decorative pieces.
President of the Prayagraj Automobile Association, Sushil Kharbanda said, “Earlier, China made car accessories including perfume, steering and body cover were available on lower prices but since there has been restrictions on Chinese products, buyers have to purchase indigenous products on higher rates.”