Covid norms eased, hospitality sector shows signs of revival

The hospitality sector in the ‘City of Palaces’, which is largely dependent on tourism, is seeing a steady improvement, as Covid-19 guidelines are eased.

Tourists footfall to the city, as well as tourist hotspots, has increased from January first week. A large number of tourists are visiting Mysuru Zoo, Chamundi Hill, and Mysuru Palace during weekends.

The hospitality sector, including hotels and transport, was severely affected due to the lockdown, following the outbreak of Covid-19 in March, 2020. While a few hotels have permanently locked down, another few are yet to re-open.

The business turnover of the hospitality sector in the city has picked up to 70%. According to Mysuru Hotel Owners' Association president C Narayana Gowda, business is returning to normalcy and it may takes a few more weeks to become stable.

He said there are nearly 8,500 rooms, catering to tourists, and the occupancy was very less from March 20, 2020, due to the Covid crisis. Now, with the footfall improving from January first week, business has picked up, he said.

Sudhir, a hotelier, said that a large number of floating population visits Mysuru. "Thus, hotel business is good. But, demand for rooms is yet to pick up. Among 20 rooms, hardly five rooms are booked in a week. Now, business is limping back to normalcy. It may take a few months to improve," he said.

Even transportation has improved. Sandesh, a taxi operator, said that he owns three cars as taxis and the vehicles were stopped for five months. Now, he has resumed services and his vehicles are being hired.

An officer attached to the Tourism department said, "Tourism has improved in 2021. By April, it may return to normal. Tourists from parts of Karnataka are visiting Mysuru. Only a few tourists are visiting outside the state. Lack of public transportation like train service has resulted in fewer footfalls from other states."

Though hotels are facing loss, there is demand for employees. Narayana Gowda said, "Hotels are facing shortage of labourers. Soon after the lockdown in March, 2020, thousands of employees had lost jobs, but now the demand has resumed."

Officials in the tourism sector say that it will take some more time for tourists from other states to visit. "Until then, intra-state tourism should be encouraged," they said.