As COVID-19’s second wave storms through India, it adds to the woes of the hospitality industry. Fifty hotels in Dharamshala, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh, have listed themselves for sale. By Kumar Shree
The kind of distress that the ongoing global pandemic has unleashed on businesses and industries is no secret. With new restrictions to curb the second wave, the situation is being pushed further south. As per a report by Tribune India, the recent lockdown and lack of relief measures from the government is forcing business owners to sell their properties in Dharamshala.
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About 50 hotels in Dharamshala are currently up for sale as owners do not have sufficient funds to repay bank loans. They are listing their properties for sale despite slashed prices, which are about 25 to 30 per cent lower than the rate five years ago.
As reported by Tribune India, Ashwani Bamba, a local hotel association president, says, “Hotels are shut, but the government continues to charge taxes. Even the annual license renewal fee of the pollution and tourism departments has not been waived. A demand to set aside the electricity load charges, since the hotels lie closed and aren’t consuming power, has not been met.”
Estimates suggest that nearly 50,000 people working in the hospitality industry lost jobs in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh alone. The district has over 3,000 hotels, all of which have been bearing the brunt of the pandemic.
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In another news reported by The Economic Times, India’s Big Bull, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, in an interview with Hindi news channel Aaj Tak, predicted a bright future for the hospitality industry. “I will change my name if you get a booking at any resort in November-December,” he said.
Editor’s Note: Keeping the current situation of the pandemic in mind, T+L India recommends every reader to stay safe and take all government-regulated precautions in case of travel at this time is necessary. Please follow our stories on COVID-19 for all the latest travel guidelines.
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