Farmers’ stir hits hotel occupancy in Amritsar

Neeraj Bagga

Amritsar, February 24

Over 10 days after the start of ‘Dilli Chalo’ stir by farmers, the tourism industry of the holy city has recorded a dip in occupancy and sale of indigenous items bought as souvenirs.

35% dip in room bookings

There is around 35 per cent dip in room occupancy across the hotels as compared to the corresponding period last year. The trend has been noticed since the start of the farm agitation. It has set a negative sentiment, which is holding back prospective customers from even making queries. Jitender Pal Sohal, Radisson Blu GM

The luxury segment of hotels recorded a dip of about 35 per cent, while the budget segment hotels found the room occupancy down by over 60 per cent since February 13. Traders associated with indigenous industries like shawls, Punjabi ‘juttis’, ‘papad-warriyan’ and others are also feeling the heat.

Radisson Blu General Manager Jitender Pal Sohal said there was around 35 per cent dip in room occupancy across the luxury segment of hotels in comparison to the corresponding period last year. He said the trend had been noticed since the start of the farm agitation. It has set a negative sentiment, which is holding back prospective customers from even making queries.

Surinder Singh, head, Federation of Hotel and Guest Houses, said the impact on the budget segment of hotels was over 60 per cent. This segment of guest houses and lodges situated in the walled city offer the lowest tariff between Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per room, he said.

He said hoteliers and traders dealing with tourists said the hospitality industry here had been reeling under pressure during the past six to eight months, upsetting the finances of several investors. “Initially, the monsoon season gave way to diseases like chikungunya and dengue, which hit tourism. Then over-a-month-long harsh winter held back tourists. Now, the farmers’ stir. These reasons have forced many investors, who had taken properties on lease around the Golden Temple, to leave the business,” he added.

Ravinder Singh, chief, Papad-Warriyan Association, said the footfall from other states fell by 90 per cent during the past two weeks. A similar slump in sale was noticed by traders selling Punjabi ‘juttis’ and shawls.