16 July,2011 06:58 AM IST | | Urvashi Seth
With terror looming on the city perpetually, disrupting life and trade every now and then, the tourism industry in the state has been hit by repeated slumps in business (see box).
The triple explosions in renowned areas in the city drove tourists to cancel reservations for lodging and dining, leaving hoteliers and tour operators to take care of business losses, yet again.
Kamlesh Barot, president of Hotel and Restaurant Association - Western India (HRA-WI), said, "Several clients cancelled room bookings and many more have been enquiring about the security in the city.
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A banquet was revoked due to the blast." Barot is also the director of Encore Group of Hotels. He added, "Apart from the regular security beef-up, we are also scanning each and every detail of all the guests checking into our hotels."
To many, the terror strike has refreshed the memories of the 26/11 attacks, after which the hospitality industry in the state saw a revenue loss of Rs 9,000 crore in 2009-2010.
Iqbal Mulla, tour operator from Andheri, also the treasurer of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), said many tourists fear the attack was a replica of the 26/11 assault on Mumbai in 2008.
"We have received many enquiries from foreign clients asking us to put a hold on their bookings. Guests fear a 26/11-type threat in the city and hence are contemplating their travel plans," said Mulla.
In fact, after every terror attack, the hotel business takes a pounding. Post the German Bakery blast in Pune, revenue loss observed by the state was Rs 2 crore.
After the 2003 train blast in Mulund, an equivalent loss was reported. In such a scenario, hoteliers are quick to point out what the government needs to do.
Sudhanshu Kumar Singh, GM, Ramee Guestline Hotel, who escaped death by a whisker at Dadar on Wednesday, said, "The government needs to do something before it is too late.There were no walk-ins today.
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The banqueting and room bookings saw last-minute cancellations too. We fear that we will continue to feel the heat for the next few days."
Ajoy Bal Krishna, GM, Grand Sarovar Premiere Hotel, Goregaon reverberated Singh's sentiments. "We have tightened our security.
The Mumbai Police has also stationed cops at our hotels. The impact of the blast has been felt but it will be back to normal," he said.
Rs 9,000 crore
Revenue losses suffered by the tourism industry in the state after the 26/11 attacks
Rs 2 crore
Losses incurred after the German Bakery blast in Pune
R2 crore
Losses incurred after the 2003 Mulund train blast
