Second wave of COVID-19 makes recovery tougher for hospitality sector in Karnataka

Industry wants State government to emulate Gujarat, which has reportedly waived off property tax and fixed charge on electricity bills for one year

Hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic for the second successive year, the crisis-hit hotel industry is impatiently looking to the Karnataka government for some relief akin to the package announced by Gujarat, which has reportedly waived off property tax and fixed charge on electricity bills for one year. Several hoteliers are planning to shut down their establishments as they are unable to run the business with zero revenue due to the pandemic-induced lockdowns. Domestic tourism nosedived during the lockdowns. Stakeholders said the hotel industry did not get any financial aid from the Karnataka government during the first wave of COVID-19 despite repeated appeals. During the second wave, hotels and restaurants were closed for over two months. They argue that revival appears tough without the government’s support.