These districts have some of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, but local administrations have stifled businesses with micro-level restrictions.

It has been a rough 18 months for the multicrore tourism industry in Karnataka, with the pandemic wreaking havoc on the sector. And, just when economic revival appeared on the anvil, the state government has imposed weekend curfew in districts that adjoin Kerala and Maharashtra. These districts have some of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, but local administrations have stifled businesses with micro-level restrictions.

Officials suggest curbs in eight districts — Kodagu, Mysuru, Dakshina Kannada, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Bidar, Chikkamagaluru, and Kalaburagi — has resulted in a loss of about 35% revenue for government tourism agencies while leaving 85% of private operators and tourism-dependent resorts and travel agents out of business.

The industry directly or indirectly employs over 30 lakh people, and stakeholders have cried foul over the government’s ‘unscientific’ restrictions. They say while the inflow of foreign tourists and even those from other states has virtually dried up, those within the state – people from Bengaluru especially – are reluctant to travel because of weekend and night curfew.

Take the case of Girish Mattennvar. An entrepreneur, who set up two homestays in Chikkamagaluru and Belagavi before the pandemic struck, Mattennvar is today struggling to stay afloat.

Source