MYSURU / BELAGAVI: After the lockdown was eased, the tourism and hospitality sectors have seen the first signs of recovery in some destinations. However, based on the experience of the past year, the industry has dampened its expectations.
Business has seen a boom since June 21, with popular resorts, lodges, and homestays in all counties except Kodagu, reopening at 50 percent capacity.
Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR), an institution of the state government, will reopen its doors to tourists from Monday. JLR chairman MA Appanna told STOI that only food and accommodation would be provided to visitors and only 50 percent of the facilities would be used due to the Covid protocols. “Visitors can stay and relax in lodges in wooded areas,” he said. There will be no safari until the government gives permission, he added.
The forest authority has resumed the jungle safari in Dandeli in Uttara Kannada and MM Hills in Chamarajanagar. monsoon drives the tourist rush towards the cascades and mountain stations. Resorts and host families are receiving inquiries in Dandeli, Chikmagalur, Sakleshpur, Hampi and a few other destinations. The department plans to promote lesser-known waterfalls as many people are keen to explore destinations that aren’t very crowded.
Heritage sites will also welcome visitors. Water sports, one of the main attractions of Dandeli, will be prepared in a few days. Rahul Bavaji, a homestay owner here, said a lot of people had inquired over the past week.
Suresh Chengappa, owner of Honey Valley and Chingara Homestays in Kodagu, said he has received about 10 calls since June 15, mostly from researchers. “We’ll start accepting guests as soon as the county government gives approval. In addition to the natural backdrop, waterfalls are a big attraction here, ”he said.
Innayath Khan, a tour operator and tour operator, said Chikkamagaluru will see visitors starting July 1 with a further relaxation of restrictions. In the past 15 days, his agency has received multiple calls from people interested in waterfalls, trekking, and staying in the forest. He said business would not return to normal until the temples in the area reopened to believers.
Tourism activities in all five tiger reserves in Karnataka remain closed while Madhya Pradesh resumed them three weeks ago. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has approved the opening of reserves and parks after consulting the local authorities.
SR Natesh, director of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve and National Park said it has been closed for covid curbs since April 28. Bandipur, spread over parts of Chamarajanagar and Mysuru Districts, typically sees an annual footfall of nearly 2 lakh. Mysuru was unlocked with other districts earlier this month as it had a weekly positivity rate of over 5 percent.
Last year, tourism suffered an estimated loss of 5,000 billion rupees per month during the March pandemic lockdown. The state government mentioned this in its economic survey 2020-21. The impact could be greater this year, officials fear.
Tourism Minister CP Yogeeshwar said he was confident the industry would recover in two months.