Ooty hoteliers sound caution, seek help

May 2, 2020, 04:11 IST

Udhagamandalam: The extended lockdown has struck at the roots of the tourism sector in the hills, with several hoteliers agreeing that it will be difficult to recover from the damage that’s been done by the pandemic.
April and May are peak tourist season for hoteliers and taxi operators, the sectors most effected in Ooty by the lockdown.
“The loss incurred by hospitality sector in the Nilgiris during the lockdown period is unimaginable. April and May are crucial months for us as income during these two months comprises 70% of the annual earnings by hoteliers here”, said N.Chandrasekar, secretary, Nilgiris Hotels and Restaurants Association.
Stating that no one could be blamed for the present situation, he said, “It will take at least one year to recover after the outbreak is over.”
Recently, the association submitted a blueprint document for post Covid-19 operations in the Nilgiris to the district administration. The paper talks about precautionary measures to be taken by the hoteliers at various levels right from the front office to laundry activity. Details of incoming guests should be obtained prior to check-in and all precautionary steps right from thermal screening should be carried out.
According to Chadrasekar, the tourism sector could be opened up in a phased manner by initially opening local restaurants and further by encouraging tourism within the state.
“Gradually, we expect domestic tourism activity to restart by October. If the summer festival is shifted to September or October, the economy of the hotel sector will get a chance at survival”, Chandrasekar added.
There are around 500 hotels in Nilgiris district apart from over 1,000 small-time hotels.
The plight of taxi operators no different. Around 5,000 taxi operators are dependant on their earnings in April and May.
“We don’t see any chance of normalcy for our livelihood in near future. It will take at least a year to get back to business”, said S Govardhan, president, Ooty tourist taxi and maxi cab operators welfare association.
“We have made representations to the government to help us by paying our EMIs through insurance companies,” he said.