By: Neha Nimisha
PATNA: The
Covid-19 pandemic, which has been wreaking havoc on the world for months, continues to cast a shadow over the year-end
travel plans of Patnaites. Consequently, tour operators are facing huge losses.
A city-based travel agent, Saurav Kumar, has only made a few honeymoon bookings this time. “I have neither received any query for Christmas or year-end travel plans in India nor done any
international bookings. The pandemic has ruined everything,” he told this newspaper.
Another travel operator, Vijay Kumar Das, who had expected to earn profits during the year-end, rued, “The pandemic has hit my business because I have done only five bookings so far.”
Travel agent Sandeep Karn has also faced a huge loss in business. He said, “Due to the pandemic, I am witnessing a slump in demand for bookings during the peak travel season.”
Travel enthusiasts also blame the pandemic for spoiling vacation plans.
The employee of a private firm, Sandeep Singh, said, “My family and I had decided to enjoy New Year’s Eve at a distant place. However, we had to cancel the plan due to a spurt in Covid-19 cases all over.”
Anandpuri resident Sumit (30), who got married earlier this week, had to cancel his honeymoon. “My wife and I will stay at home and wait for the Covid situation to improve,” he said.