Manali: A second surge of COVID-19 in the country has hit the hill state hard which has Budhi Prakash Thakur, president HP Travel Agents Association declare that as the summer tourist season was progressing but en masse bookings have been canceled, most of the tourism industry in Himachal was headed for bankruptcy.
“As it is very few tourists are coming to the state,” said Thakur, “on top of it the restrictions are increasing which is deterring even the remaining tourists from traveling leading to heavy cancellation of bookings.”
Members of the association and other stakeholders in the hospitality sector after discussing the hardships being faced by the industry have requested the state government to rescue the distressed sector from utter ruin.
The association expressed concern about many members having received bank notices for the dues that have to be paid.
Thakur urged the government that should the situation not normalize and the tourists continue to find it difficult to come to Himachal then the government should defer payment of all loans for at least two years without interest.
The government should consider the ground reality and provide relief to the industry,” said Thakur. Many businesses are headed for bankruptcy and need government support, he added.
Sanjay Dutta, an engineer by qualification but is a journalist by choice.
He has worked for the premier new agency Press Trust of India and leading English daily Indian Express.
With more than a decade of experience, he has been highlighting issues related to environment, tourism and other aspects affecting mountain ecology.
Sanjay Dutta lives in a village close to Manali in Kullu valley of Himachal.
