Kullu tourism industry limps back to normal

Hotels in Kullu district have started opening gradually, bringing the tourism industry back on track. Around 50 per cent of the hospitality units in the Manikaran valley resumed operations on Tuesday. Hotels at Jibhi and the Tirthan valley in Banjar subdivision resumed operations on September 1. Hoteliers of Manali have also decided to reopen their establishments from October 1. Some hospitality units had already started functioning after the government allowed the entry of tourists with some restrictions on July 3. Kishan Thakur, president of Manikaran Valley Hotel Association, said although there were fewer bookings, more queries were being received every day. He added that after the removal of the condition of e-pass now, more tourists were expected to come. He said that the hotel owners had provided training to their staff to ensure safe operations in the wake of the Covid crisis. He added that operations would be carried out as per the guidelines of the government. Tourism in the Manikaran valley is expected to gain momentum before Dasehra. The valley is a favourite spot among foreign tourists, especially from Israel. Many pilgrims from Punjab also come here to pay obeisance at a gurdwara. There are over 300 hospitality units in the Manikaran valley, including hotels, home stay, guesthouses, cottages and camping sites. Businessmen have suffered huge losses due to the complete closure of the industry in wake of the Covid crisis. Some hoteliers, on the other hand, were still reluctant to start operations in view of the less tourist footfall. They say it would be difficult for them to meet the expenses in the present situation. They urged the government to provide relief to the tourism industry till the situation normalises.