Shimla: The coronavirus outbreak has brought the ecomony of Himachal Pradesh down to its knees. The pandemic is making the economy of the State suffer as tourism plays a crucial role.
Summer season starts after 15th April in Himachal whereas the arrival of tourists from the plains start from the month of March. Last year around 50 lakh domestic and foreign tourists came to visit Himachal between March and May, this year this figure is zero.
In the past two years, tourism in Himachal Pradesh has been affected due to water scarcity and some or the other reason. This year, where the tourism business expected a better season, it has gone completely empty due to the corona virus. This is the reason why tourism businesses are constantly demanding for relief from government on account of loss of crores.
If we only talk about summer season then the number of Indian tourists who came to visit Himachal Pradesh between March and May was 49,10,672 and the number of foreign tourists was 1,18,059 which has been reduced to zero this year. This had caused massive losses to the tourism sector.
To assess this loss, a task force has been formed that will submit the report of the loss to the government. According to the guidelines of the government, a plan shall be prepared to strengthen tourism by developing tourist areas.
State convenor of All Himachal Association of Hospitality and Tourism Forum, Mohindra Seth said that tourism business has been badly affected due to Corona.
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