Bookings cancelled, courtesy strict Covid guidelines
Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, December 31
The strict directions issued by the district administration, Kangra, led to cancellation of bookings in Dharamsala and other parts of the district.
The district administration of Kangra had issued directions today that no one would be allowed to stay on roads after 10 pm for New Year celebrations. The directions also stated that anyone organising gathering of more 50 people even within hotels will have to seek permissions from the magistrate. The directions were issued keeping in view high number of positive cases being reported in Kangra district.
Sanjeev Gandhi, general secretary, Smart City Dharamsala Hotel and Restaurant Association, said after the directions were reported in the media many tourists cancelled their reservations. “In my hotel five persons cancelled their reservations. The occupancy of hotels that was expected to be around 70 per cent will now be around 50 per cent,” he said.
Ashwani Bamba, president, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Dharamsala, said though the bookings had been cancelled, it was a good sign that tourists had returned to the area. He said the influx of tourists had once again brought to the fore basic problems in the area.
The main parking in McLeodganj at the HRTC bus stand was thrown open to the public by the district administration. However, the main parking of the area was now occupied by the taxi drivers and local shopkeepers and there was no place for tourists to park their vehicles, he said.
Tourists were back in McLeodganj, the epicentre of tourism in Kangra district. The shops and alleys of McLeodganj were back in business with people enjoying tea and coffee at cafeterias and shopping around. A fine of Rs 1,000 was imposed by the state government for those not wearing masks at public places to ensure that the tourists adhere to Covid protocol.
The guidelines
- The district administration of Kangra has issued directions that no one will be allowed to stay on roads after 10 pm for New Year celebrations.
- The direction also states that anyone organising gathering of more 50 people even within hotels will have to seek permissions from the respective magistrate
