Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Since the police beat back VHP members near Afzal Khan’s tomb three days ago, another section at Mahabaleshwar has felt the stick more — the business fraternity. Since the clash, tourist bookings have dipped and hoteliers have sent out messages that neither they nor local residents support the VHP’s agitation.
On an average, Mahabaleshwar gets at least 60,000 tourists every month during the monsoon. And on weekends, it is anywhere between 5,000 and 6,000 people per day with working days alone bringing in 1,500 tourists. But this weekend — September 10, 11 and 12 — the passenger tax collection took a beating. Officials say the three days brought in a mere Rs 29,440 compared to last weekend’s Rs 69,940.
On Monday, there wasn’t even a trickle of tourists, says Shivaji Pallod, a tourist car operator and hotelier. He blames the media for scaring tourists away. ‘‘Ever since the electronic media played up this issue from September 9, tourists have stayed away… Several bookings were cancelled on Sunday,’’ says Pallod. Residents say the Satara Collector and SP have added to the panic by advising the public to stay away.
Raju Naidu, president of the Mahabaleshwar Hoteliers’ Association, says small hotels have been hit hardest. ‘‘There has been just 10 per cent occupancy in the last four days.’’
Several hoteliers’ associations met tehsildar Uday Bhosale on Monday to seek permission for a public meeting to announce they do not support the VHP agitation. Says Bhosale: ‘‘Mahabaleshwar has been a calm and quiet hill station. Now, it is being tarnished because of the Pratapgad issue.’’
