2 lakh in tourism industry jobless in Kullu-Manali

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, May 19

The hospitality industry of Kullu-Manali has been shut since March 22 following the spread of coronavirus. The impact has been so widespread that nearly two lakh people have been rendered jobless in the district.

Now, those associated with the industry and having lost all business are demanding a bailout package from the government.

Those badly hit by the shutdown are people involved in adventure sports activities like river-rafting, paragliding, river-crossing, mountain-hiking and travel planning. Apart from these, taxi operators, dhaba and restaurant owners, hoteliers, photographers and village women, who were earning livelihood by offering local dresses to tourists, have been adversely affected.

The district usually witnessed a huge tourist influx in April. But this time, the stakeholders are in despair and waiting desperately for the revival of industry.

In Kullu district, more than 320 agencies having around 400 pilots are registered for paragliding. Similarly, over 100 agencies are registered for undertaking river-rafting activities for tourists. Hundreds of those associated with river-rafting have lost their source of income.

Women of nine villages in Ujhi valley in Manali have lost income. They used to earn money by dressing up tourists with local costumes.

The people associated with the tourism industry said: “Covid-19 has brought doom to the tourism industry here which has adversely affected their economy. The government should provide a bailout package for its revival.”

Paragliding, river-rafting take a hit

• Kullu district usually witnessed a huge tourist influx in April every year. But this time, the stakeholders are in despair
• In the district, more than 320 agencies having around 400 pilots are registered for paragliding.
• Similarly, over 100 agencies are registered for undertaking river-rafting. All those associated with river-rafting have lost their source of income.
• Women of nine villages in Ujhi valley in Manali, who used to earn money by providing local costumes to tourists, have lost livelihood.