The Covid scare has ruined the business of hoteliers in Kullu-Manali even on Diwali holidays. Room enquiries for hotel occupancy have witnesses a sharp dip.

The hoteliers have been suffering for the past six months as the tourist influx has dried up after coronavirus outbreak.

The hoteliers said the room occupancy was below 30 per cent, which is a matter of concern. They were expecting good business on Diwali but the situation had been disappointing in view of surge in cases.

They said only 25 per cent of hotels in Manali were functional.

Despite that the room occupancy was below 20.

Budhi Prakash Thakur, president of the Himachal Pradesh Travel Agents Association at Manali, said the response of room bookings was poor this year. Tourists were avoiding journey to Kullu-Manali as in the past few days, there was an increase in Covid positive cases.

There is little hope for the hoteliers to get good business. There is an urgent need to have dialogue between the Tourism Department and stakeholders to revive the industry.

Anup Thakur, president of the Hoteliers Association Kullu-Manali, said during Diwali, the room occupancy increases up to 90 per cent, but this year, the situation is adverse.