The hotel industry experienced the most devastating year on record in 2020 due to the pandemic. Similarly, the hoteliers and restaurateurs along the Zhemgang-Gelegphu highway said their business has been badly affected.
Most of restaurants and hotels along Zhemgang-Gelegphu highway are seen under lock. And some are operating without a single customer in a day since the first lockdown was imposed in August.
“We are facing difficulty because we cannot earn even a single penny in a day,” said Lengkong, a hotelier.
“Before we used to earn Nu 5,000 to 6,000 in a day. But due to the pandemic, there are vehicle movement restrictions. So, we cannot earn even Nu 5 these days,” said Ugyen Namgay, another hotelier.
Meanwhile, the local vegetable and fruits sellers from the nearby village of Tama also said that the pandemic has affected their business. Otherwise, they can earn some money from selling the local produce.
“We cannot sell winter vegetables and fruits like before. In the past, travellers buy our products,” said Needup Lhamo, a villager.
Meantime, the hoteliers and restauranteurs hope to revive their business if the situation improves. Else they have no option rather than closing the business for good.
There are about 12 business entities along the highway.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
