Angul: The tourism sector in Angul district is staring at a bleak future. The sector is expected to take a severe hit due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, claimed Tourism Department official Prakash Roy.
Assessing the impact of COVID-19 on the district’s tourism sector, Roy said that losses to tune of about a few lakhs have happened in the last four months due to the complete shutdown of the tourist spots. However, businesses indirectly linked to tourism have suffered losses of over a crore, Roy added.
Tourist spots like Satakoshia Sanctuary, Rengali, Derjanga Water Reserve, temples of goddess Hingula and goddess Agnirupa in Talcher, Deuljhari in Atthamallik, Binkeai and many other historic places have remained closed in the last four months. So earnings have fallen drastically, Roy informed.
This has impacted the livelihood of thousands working in the unorganised tourism sector. Among them are travel agents, tour guides, vendors at the tourist sites and owners of restaurants and eateries.
An official source said, in 2016, 8.36 lakh tourists had visited various places in the district. The numbers went up to 9.10 lakh (2017), 9.88 lakh (2018) and over 10 lakh in 2019.
Looking at the rising numbers of tourists the district administration had also taken various projects to promote the sector.
Rajiv Panigrahi owner of ‘Prasanti Hotel’ said, “The holiday season from April to July is good for us. Many people related to industrial sector come to the district every year and stay in out hotels which also generate good sources of income. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic all transactions have stopped. We are not even being able to pay the electricity bills of out hotels.”
PNN