Udupi: The hotel and tourism industry was recovering from the economic hardship caused by last year’s lockdown when it has been hit again with the new COVID-19 guidelines due to the second wave of the pandemic.
As per the revised government guidelines, pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants cannot exceed 50% of their seating capacity.
The number of tourists arriving in the district from other districts had reduced 60%, while the number of tourists from other States has gone down 70%, according to hoteliers.
Many young businessmen who had started their hotel business recently are getting into debt. Workers wages, rent, and EMI of the loan has caused a few to close their hotels.
“It is frustrating that the government does not respond to the hotel owner’s request. The hotel industry, which suffered huge losses during last year’s lockdown, is again facing huge losses. It is not possible to pay rent, electricity bills, workers’ wages. The biggest problem is the lack of tourists,” said Tallur Shivaram Shetty, president of the Udupi District Hotel Owners’ Association.
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