Communication Associate, Mussoorie. Omicron Cases in India Even though Uttarakhand is still untouched by the new variant of the corona virus Omicron, but the tourism business of the state has started getting affected by this variant. Booking of hotels etc for Christmas and New Year celebrations in Mussoorie has suddenly slowed down. Inquiries have also reduced drastically. The process of canceling the bookings already made has also started.

Mussoorie is the most popular tourist destination of Uttarakhand. Generally, there is an influx of tourists throughout the year. However, due to the first lockdown and then the second wave of Corona during the Corona period, the tourism business of Mussoorie was affected for more than a year. Now it seems to be eclipsed by the new variant of Corona, Omicron.

Omicron is causing panic all over the world these days. This variant has also knocked in India. However, Uttarakhand is feeling relieved on this front. So far, the Omicron variant has not been confirmed in any corona infected here. However, tourists who have learned from the second wave of Corona are taking precautions this time around.

Sanjay Aggarwal, General Secretary, Mussoorie Hotel Association said that the total number of hotels, guest houses and lodges in the city is around 350. These have eight thousand rooms and a capacity to accommodate 25 thousand tourists. So far, 50 percent bookings have been done in hotels in Mussoorie for Christmas and New Year. However, bookings have declined since the launch of Omicron in the country. In the last four-five days, the number of tourists who inquired has also come down. There are many tourists who have canceled their booking.

Uttarakhand Hotel Association president Sandeep Sahni said that the inquiry and booking has almost stopped. Till now 15 to 20 percent bookings have been canceled. Due to this there is an atmosphere of despair among the businessmen associated with hotel and tourism. The past weekend was good in terms of tourism, but now daily booking is also getting affected.