Tourism Industry Scorched by Rajasthan Heatwave

Heatwave Hammers Rajasthan's Tourism Biz

The intense heatwave in Rajasthan has dramatically affected the hospitality and tourism industry. Occupancy and room rates have dropped to the lowest levels in years. Smaller hotels have been hit hard, as larger hotels have slashed rates to 75-80% to fill their abundant inventory of rooms.

In contrast to previous years, when Rajasthan was a top choice for corporate meetings, incentive travel, and family visits despite the high temperatures, the current heatwave drastically altered the tourism landscape.

In the past, despite the heat, the summer months were a time for attractive deals, drawing visitors who could take advantage of lower rates. However, the situation is starkly different this year, with the heatwave and its associated casualties leading to cancellations and rescheduled trips. The heatwave, coupled with the media's reports of casualties, has triggered a wave of cancellations and trip rescheduling.

Occupancy and rates plummeted in May, and the current month does not look brighter. Industry estimates that occupancy in the properties of leading chains nosedived to 20-25%, which was about 50% last year.

Corporate travel and meetings typically take advantage of off-season discounts and have seen significant rescheduling. Businesses are hesitant to send their employees to Rajasthan right now, even for important meetings. School student groups, too, are not travelling. Visits from friends and family, often planned during summer vacations, have also dwindled. Families are choosing to postpone their trips, fearing the extreme temperatures.

The economic impact is palpable, with many hotels choosing to send their staff on extended leave. "Hotels, resorts, and restaurants are all experiencing financial distress. The industry is adopting various measures to reduce operational costs. Some smaller hotels only saw a few bookings on some days. This is also due to the more prominent hotel chain hotels slashing their room rates by 75-80%, almost the same rates that smaller ones used to charge. Whatever footfall the industry is getting is going to the star hotels, leaving the budget and smaller hotels in the doldrums.

As Rajasthan navigates through this challenging period, all eyes are on the monsoon. When the hills receive rainfall, tourists avoid them and come to Rajasthan.