Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Apr 17: The hotel industry which was just returning back to normalcy after the disastrous effects of first wave of coronavirus is facing an uphill task again under the second wave of the pandemic.

According to the new Covid guidelines of the state government, pubs, bars, club and restaurants in the district have to operate only at 50% of seating capacity. This has dealt a huge blow to the industry.

The hotel owners' association has urged the state government to relax its rules and help the hotel industry and lacs of people employed in it.

Dr Tallur Shivarama Shetty, president of Udupi district hotel owners' association said, "The government reciprocated to the appeal of cine actors and allowed 100% seating capacity in cinema halls. But it is not concerned about hotel industry. The step-motherly attitude of the government on hotel industry is not right. The hotel industry has suffered huge financial losses due to eight months of lockdown during the first wave of the pandemic. Owners of hotels, who mostly run their business on loans, are not able to payback their loans. When the industry is just recovering, the second wave has given a bigger jolt. The government should immediately help the hotel industry."

The number of customers is reduced in hotel and restaurants due to the second wave of the coronavirus. In the midst of this, the new guidelines have virtually pushed the industry into doldrums.

In states like Maharashtra, lockdown is being imposed due to the increase in number of Covid cases. Functions like marriage and religious are decreased considerably. This has hit the catering and hotel industry hard. The number of visitors to the district of Udupi from outstation districts of Karnataka is reduced by 60%, while those arriving from other states is reduced by 70%.

Venkatramana Prabhu, owner of Hotel Naivedya said, "If lockdown is imposed during the second wave of coronavirus, it will hit the financial situation not only of the hotel industry but that of the state. Due to Covid restrictions, the number of customers is reduced by 25%. Even 10% of the rooms are not getting occupied. Overall turnover of hotels is down by 30%. The government has to provide suitable financial assistance keeping in mind the wellbeing of hotel employees. Even banks are not giving loans to hotel industry due to second wave of corona."

At present there are 1,500 small and large hotels functioning in the district. Nearly 50,000 people depend on this industry for their livelihood. The government has to announce a suitable financial package for the hotel industry, says Dr Tallur Shivarama Shetty.