25% of bookings in Prayagraj hotels cancelled after stampede, say owners

“Around 25 percent of the guests who had earlier reserved rooms in different hotels of the city have cancelled their bookings. They have asked us to inform them when the situation in the Kumbh area normalises,” said Prayagraj Hotels and Restaurants Association president Harjendra Singh.

Another hotel owner said that soon after the stampede, several outstation visitors who had booked rooms started making calls to cancel their reservations. Those who had paid advance amounts requested the hotels to adjust the payment for future dates, he added.

“The booking cancellations have also affected the allied businesses, including restaurants,” Harjendra Singh said.

Currently, more than 200 hotels are operating in Prayagraj, including the ones that set shops specifically for the Maha Kumbh.

Shekhar Srivastava, the owner of Hotel Dev Kali, also confirmed the cancellation of a large number of bookings, leading to a noticeable decrease in the inflow of pilgrims. He, however, added that many pilgrims have again started making bookings for the Kumbh since the situation is getting back to normal.

Blocking the entry of four-wheelers to Prayagraj district following the stampede also affected the hotel business, another hotel owner said.