Pandemic hits Mahabalipuram: Resorts, restaurants in the red during peak season

Restaurants in the area are operating only for delivery purposes. Due to this, some estimate a 40 to 50 per cent drop in business.

“People are not availing our services due to hygiene concerns, despite us maintaining the best hygiene practices. In addition to this, the upcoming months are our peak season and thus we expect even more losses to come,” said a restaurateur in the area.

Housing facilities, dormitories and other house rental facilities are also facing losses due to lack of patronage. Many fear the long-term effects of the shutdown, with no word on when international travel and inter-state travel will reopen.

“I maintain the boarding facility full-time. I have had no income in the last few months. International travel will be the last facility to reopen due to safety reasons, and most of my customers are foreign tourists. So, I will be facing losses till even the end of the year,” said the owner of a rented facility, who operates through the app, AirBnB.

The area is also known for water sports tourism like surfing, which has also suffered a hit. Surfing schools are seeing no new customers. “What we hope for is that once the restrictions are eased, at least people from Chennai will return for classes. We don’t think international tourists will return for a long time but we can bank on tourists from the surrounding areas to come back,” said a surfing coach.