Covid shadow on Maharashtra tourism industry

During holiday and festival seasons, travellers come to Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Raigad and Sindhudurg but this year these tourist destinations have worn a deserted look because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Mumbai: The COVID-19 outbreak has a severe impact on the tourism industry across the globe. The pandemic induced by the lockdown resulted in a halt in tourist arrivals.

Due to the travel restrictions, the tourism industry has been hit hard as various businesses and industries have been shut down leading to severe unemployment in the sector.

COVID-19 led to significant uncertainty and chaotic conditions as the virus started spreading in the country just around the summer vacation period. So the vacations went without tourists.

Now that festive season has begun, many tourist destinations in Maharashtra are currently scarce with tourists. Travellers come to Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Sindhudurg to enjoy their holidays. However, this year all these tourist destinations have worn a deserted look because of COVID-19 restrictions.

On the eve of Diwali, Mumbai has the highest number of COVID-19 patients in the country. Overall, Mumbai has a good number of tourists during festivals like Diwali. Be it the famous Worli Sea Face or Juhu Chowpatty, it is ready to welcome tourists. However, how the pandemic has affected the festivals this year, as well as the tourism industry, ETV Bharat has tried to review the situation. For this, the famous Juhu Chowpatty in Mumbai was chosen. Here take a look at the special report by ETV Bharat on how Coronavirus has hit the tourism industry in the state.

Corona's plight on Juhu Beach

Fayez owns a fast food shop on Juhu Beach. In these two months, the income is eighty to ninety thousand rupees. There are 4 people in the family. The family has been in this business for the last 34 years.

''Despite the unlock, the public is still distancing themselves from being out. Though Mumbai is unlocked, the business is still locked. The cost of running the shop is unaffordable. So running a shop is a loss,'' says Fayez.

Number of tourists in Ratnagiri dropped

Each year, the number of tourists visiting Konkan is in lakhs but this year, there has been barely anything. In particular, a large number of tourists visit Konkan every year on Diwali. Therefore, tourists enjoy the Diwali holidays by witnessing the endless sea. Hotels and lodges are generally full during the season. This year, however, is a different picture. Businesses here are waiting for tourists. At present only 10 per cent of local businesses are reporting bookings.

Konkan tourism

Millions of tourists flock to Anjarle, Kelshi, Karde, Ladghar, Guhagar, Murud, Ganpatipule, Ratnagiri, Tarkarli, Malvan. Konkan has a coastline of 720 km. Therefore, the shores of the Konkan have always been crowded with tourists.

A long wait

Thousands of tourists book in advance every year to spend Diwali holiday in Konkan. Hotels, lodges, MTDC resorts are all 100 per cent full, many don't even get a room. However, Corona has had a major impact on tourism here. The temples are closed, leading tourists turning their backs on Konkan. According to professionals, bookings for hotels that are full every year on Diwali are less than 10 per cent this year.

No booking at Ganpatipule's Bhakt Niwas

The President of Ganpatipule Devasthan, Dr Vivek Bhide said that the Bhakt Niwas of Ganpati Devasthan, which was closed due to Corona, reopened from November 1. Every year on Diwali, the Bhaktanivas is 100 per cent full. But not even five rooms were booked on Saturday-Sunday last week. He is hopeful that tourists will come after Lakshmi Puja.

MTDC's resort also empty

MTDC's tourist accommodation at Ganpatipule was jammed packed during the Diwali holidays last year. The rooms in the manager's quota were also filled. This year, however, the number of tourists visiting MTDC tourist accommodation has been very meagre said Deepak Mane, Regional Tourism Officer, MTDC's Konkan Division.

Only 20 to 30 per cent booking at the lodge, resorts in Raigad

The government has relaxed the lockdown and opened up tourism.

The festival of Diwali is a source of income for lodges, resorts and hoteliers. On Diwali, lodging professionals get bookings a month in advance. However, due to the Corona epidemic, businesses are waiting for tourists. As an undesirable repercussion, hotels and resort professionals have received only 20 to 30 per cent bookings this time.

Raigad district has Alibag, Kihim, Mandwa, Versoli, Akshi, Nagaon, Revdanda, Kashid, Murud, Diveagar, Harihareshwar, Shrivardhan beaches. Tourists throng here to have fun and joy. This season, Resort owners are concerned as there is a dearth of tourists.

Corona hits tourism business in Sindhudurg

About 1 lakh tourists visit this Malvan fort every year during Diwali holidays. This year the number is not even 10 per cent. However, tourists are travelling with adequate care at present.

Boat service is run through Sindhudurg to reach Malvan Fort by Passenger Transport Welfare Association. According to the workers working in the booking centre of this boat service, the number of tourists has dwindled this year as compared to last year.

''The government has permitted to start this service by on terms and conditions. Earlier we were carrying 25 tourists in one boat. Now 11 to 12 tourists have to be taken. Boat operators cannot afford it,'' said a person from this business.

Room bookings down to 10 Per Cent

''There are three thousand rooms, however, only 10 per cent of them are booked Also During the festive season it was expected that tourists would come. However, only 10 per cent of tourists have come. So we have a booking. But that’s for the next few days,'' said Mujefa Bora.

Malvan has 3,000 rooms that can accommodate about 10,000 tourists. However, only 10 per cent of them have been booked, said Nitin Walke, Chairman of the Trade Association and Former President Of The Federation.

Meanwhile, the pandemic time has been very difficult for the tourism business in Sindhudurg. Businesses were expected to be relieved on Diwali. However, that too did not happen. Tourism professionals are worried as the outlook for tourism economy recovery remains highly uncertain.