RAJKOT: Good news for short vacationers — Diu is opening its shores! The most favourite watering hole for ‘parched’ Gujaratis is all set to fully open in a short period.
With weekend curfew already lifted two weeks ago, and Covid wave receding fast as well, the administration of the union territory has decided to soon open up tourist spots, including its attractive beaches, while it is still engaging in re-beautifying the cyclone-ravaged district.
Diu was devastated by cyclone Tauktae last month.
The UT had been weekend curfew since the peak of the second wave of Covid and after the restrictions were lifted two weeks ago, hotels were flushed with tourists last week.
President of Diu Hotels Association, Yatin Fugro said, “Tourism is picking up more than expected lines after the weekend curfew was lifted and weekend occupancy has reached around 35 percent from zero.
We are expecting good turnout in August when the festival season starts.” Many NRI families, who have been restricted from travelling to India for almost two years now owing to the global pandemic are expected to come down during Diwali.
And, together with vaccination ‘foreigners’ could inject Diu’s slack hotel industry which is running in losses since March 2020, with a shot of hope.
Incidently, July is also a slack period because of monsoon.
While hotel owners are expecting to pick up speed by August, they pray that a third wave won’t upset their apple cart.
Owners are also waiting for the district administration to open all the tourist points to attract in more visitors.
On the other hand, many cyclone-hit hotels are still renovating and will not be able to open so soon owing to buildings and infrastructure damages.
Owners here are also facing acute manpower crisis after majority of the catering staff hailing from North India left for their native places during the second wave and are yet to return.
Diu collector, Saloni Rai said, “There is a decline in Covid cases and there has been no new cases in Diu for the past one week.
We are, therefore, mulling to open tourist points will take a decision in this regard soon.”