Odisha Hotels, Tourism Sector Hit Hard By COVID-19 Pandemic

Bhubaneswar: First it was cyclone Fani last year and now the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the hotel industry in Odisha. The worst hit are those in the business in Puri and Ganjam district.

The situation is grim in the pilgrim town of Puri which used to bustle in activities throughout the year. The abode of Lord Jagannath always used to see a footfall of lakhs of tourists for its pristine golden beach.

However, the situation is completely just the opposite now as tourists are not coming to Puri due to COVID-19 fear and shutdown-lockdown restrictions. It is now almost six months that the hotel industry is going through a rough patch, adversely affecting the economy of over 800 hotels and lodges.

The situation is so grim that that several hotels have retrenched their entire staff.

Not only Puri, the hospitality sector in Ganjam district presents the same situation. It is suspected that the hotel industry would virtually collapse if no government help comes to the rescue under the present circumstances.

“During summer vacation and marriage season, our business this year was adversely hampered due to COVID-19 pandemic this year,” said Pratap Jena, Assistant Manager, Swosti Hotel, Gopalpur.

Despite the COVID-19 threat, green signal has been to hotel industry to resume operations in view of the save economy and livelihood of people.

Though Odisha has also allowed operation of hotels with 30 % staff and accommodation, it has failed to infuse life back into the dead industry as of now due to lack of tourist inflow.

“We could tide over the situation if government offers some help so that we can pay our staff. If situation doesn’t improve by December, things will become worse for us,” said Rajkishore Patra, Secretary Hotel Association, Puri.

(Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena)

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