Rising Covid-19 cases paralyse tourism sector again

With cases of Covid-19 increasing in the neighbouring Kerala, tourism, as well as hospitality sector, in the city, is badly affected once again. The tourism sector, which was severely affected due to the lockdown, from March 2020, was recovering with an increase in footfall from January 2021.

Hotel business was returning to normal, with 70% occupancy after the guidelines were relaxed. But, again, business is hit by 35% to 40%, owing to an outbreak of Covid in Kerala and Maharashtra.

According to Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association president C Narayana Gowda, nearly, 25% of tourists to Mysuru are from Kerala. Now, tourism and hospitality sectors are taking a hit again.

“Tourists inflow reduced in the last one week. However, tourists from different parts of Karnataka are coming to the city, albeit less in numbers. A majority of the visitors are floating population and do not stay in Mysuru,” he said.

In addition, lodges are affected severely as many travellers are cancelling their bookings. A manager of a lodge said, “A majority of their customers are from other states, particularly Kerala. The business was picking up slowly from December end. But, following the outbreak in Kerala, many rooms that were booked online were cancelled since the last 15 days.”

“There are nearly 8,500 rooms, catering to tourists and the occupancy was less from March 20, 2020, due to the Covid crisis. The footfall had improved from January first week and business had picked up. Now, again, we are facing trouble,” he said.

It has to be noted that a few sections of students from Kerala, who reached Mysuru, tested positive for Covid. Hence, the district administration and the Health department officials made RT-PCR test report mandatory for those entering Karnataka, from Kerala. The officials have given strict instructions to hotels and lodges and also education institutions to allow the people only after getting negative reports.