The hospitality industry which is demoralised by the state government’s decision to celebrate Dasara on a low key, following the prevailing drought, is likely to be further affected by the Cauvery agitation. The city that usually witnessed good business due to many tourists turning out on week ends are worried about low turn outs.
The Supreme Court’s directions to release water to Tamil Nadu and subsequent developments and protests in Mysore, Mandya and Chamrajnagar forced the tourists to stay away. The hotels that were full for the week-end had to feel the pinch, with a majority of them cancelling their bookings and postponing their visit as the farmers had blocked the Bangalore to Mysore highway. Buses had withdrawn services fearing violence in the region.
The hotels and restaurants that do a better business on weekends, had no guests or flow of tourists, as tourists had stayed away due to the developments.
Uday Kumar of a reputed hotel, said that the tourists and groups had cancelled bookings fearing violence around KRS; tourists were also fearful of the highway being blocked. “We will close down business if a similar situation prevails for the next couple of days,” he added.
With no sign of relief to the on going agitation, the bookings for Dasara that will start from October 16 to 24 had already witnessed a slump compared to corresponding years, with state announcing low key celebrations.
The city with over 400 hotels, including 100 high-end hotels with over 5,000 rooms are likely to be hit hard, as there will be no inter-state vehicles and tourists from the Bangalore side if the state went ahead and released water. The hotel industry that had planned to give attractive packages are now finding it difficult to retain their clients. The district administration closed Brindavan garden and imposed prohibitory orders for three days.
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