Daily Times

As many as 175 hotels & restaurants have been closed in Galiyat after the lockdown which resultantly not only damaged economy of the region but also created unemployment in the area.

This was disclosed by Director General Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) Raza Habib while talking with newsmen here on Monday. DG GDA informed that Galiyat which totally depends upon tourism has badly affected after the stoppage the flow of tourists in the wake of COVID-19. He told that the recent three months data the average no of tourists visiting Galiyat is 120,000-150,000 per month which will increases 360000 to 450000 per month in summer months. He told that with average Occupancy 30% during the offseason, the estimated potential revenue loss to the different hotel were calculated to 14 million rupees so far and in the worst-case scenario if lockdown extends to the peak season this loss would be increased up to three times high. He told that besides hotels & restaurant businesses, some daily wagers have been working as waiters in hotels.

With the lockdown, the hotels have laid off such workers which will affect direct impact to more than 1000 such as workers who will be unemployed. Similarly, the constructions or any other associated type of works are affected by the current situation and about 1000-1500 labourers will be unemployed. Similarly, he told that about 500 people are associated with small tourism-related activities, services & trades such as tourist guides, horse riding services, balloon shooting, coffee machine vendors and roadside cabins, etc. This category of individuals has earnings on a daily basis and they rely totally on tourist activity related income. He is recommended that necessary food items may be given to them to feed their families till the end of the lockdown. Raza Habib further told that more than 100 small shops in the Galiyat region associated with the tourism sector which includes grocery shops, souvenir shops, tuck shops, and small food huts, cabins & carts.

Replying to a question, Raza Habib told that GDA has already submitted their recommendations to the provincial Tourism department as they have been compiling a comprehensive report of the entire province which will be submitted to Chief Minister for approval. Raza Habib told that currently hundreds of jobs at stake & many small & medium enterprises related to the tourism sector are at risk of losing their businesses, therefore measures should be taken to support the tourism & hospitality sector.

It may be pointed out that tourist destinations, Rest Houses & hotels in Nathiagali, Dungagali, Ayubia, and Changlagali have become deserted due to the coronavirus endemic. The most popular tourist spot in the region is Nathia Gali where all the hotels, as well as the private residences, remained closed where people use to visit in summers. Nathiagali is known for its scenic beauty, hiking tracks, pleasant weather and few century-old buildings like Governor House built in the British era. Earlier, Saif-u-Rehman, a resident of Galiyat & hotel owner at Nathiagali while briefing to newsmen said that tourism served as the main source of revenue for a lot of people in the valley, but all economic activities have been closed because of the deadly virus and people associated with the industry are sitting idle at home. He asked the government and the tourism ministry to provide relief to the people associated with the industry so that they do not starve to death. He pointed out that most of the residents from Galiyat were doing their business in other parts of the country that also came back to their homes, which increased the burden.