Second wave of corona cripples Himachal Tourism

Published on : Wednesday, April 21, 2021

The lockdown imposed by many states, especially Delhi and night curfew restrictions by Punjab in the wake of second wave of Covid-19 in the country, has once again affected the tourism industry in Himachal Pradesh.

The hotels, tourist resorts and homestays, hoping for a good summer season after last year’s lockdown, are completely out of work for the past 15 to 20 days.

“Though there is no lockdown in Himachal Pradesh, people are scared to venture out. States such as Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan, from where most tourists come, are struggling with the high load of Covid cases and deaths. Why would people now come to Himachal?” said Sanjay Sood, president, Shimla Hotels and Restaurants Association.

Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the government has not imposed any ban on entry of outsiders even though there is an advisory for those coming from the seven states with high case loads to carry their RT-PCR negative reports.

Sood said that hotels are back to square one concerning their business just like during last year’s lockdown.
“We had a good season in December and thereafter January to March. After the cases started rising, businesses nosedived. There are no walk-ins and those who had planned the holidays in advance and booked the hotels, have cancelled. Even high-end properties like the Oberoi Group or Radissons are suffering,” said Sood.

Most hotels in Shimla, Kullu-Manali, Dharamshala, McLeodganj, Dalhousie, Chail and Kasauli have hit a zero occupancy level. The locals are also not coming out to the markets or Mall Road and Ridge (in Shimla). The Rohtang Tunnel wears a desolate look.

The Himachal government, witnessing an alarming spike in Covid-19 cases, has imposed a complete ban on social, religious and political gatherings. The temples will also be closed down for public after April 23.

Wedding functions cannot be held without the written consent of the sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs). Only 50 people will be permitted to attend with restricted SoPs, said the chief minister.

The government has also decided to reduce strength of employees in the government offices and public transport to 50 per cent to deal with the spike in Covid cases. Government offices will run five days a week, and schools and colleges have been closed till May 1.