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| Fear of terrorist attacks affecting hotel business |
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Friday, June 12, 2009
Malik Ayub Sumbal
Rawalpindi
All posh hotels including the only 5-star one in the city are witnessing huge losses as people have cancelled their bookings for fear of terror attacks.
According to a staffer of a posh hotel, people have cancelled their reservations after the blast in Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar, which is a major jolt to the hotel business in the country.
Those who had booked the hotels for various functions have cancelled the bookings. People are very much concerned about the security issue, as they think that such places have been and still could be main target of the terrorists.
The occupancy rate of most of the hotels was 100 per cent a few days ago, which has now gone down to 20 to 25 per cent. The summer season is on its peak but the visitors’ avoid staying in the hotels of the twin cities which has perturbed them.
Haroon Abbasi, the manager of a local hotel, said, “No one dares to stay in these hotels in such a security situation.”
If the high security zones are not safe from the terrorists then how could visitors stay in hotels? Owners of hotels are much depressed and worried as their business has plummeted after such incidents, he added.
There are also a number of local hotels and restaurants that present a deserted look.
These hotels have no security arrangements as compared to the luxury hotels. Bilal Khan, residing in a local hotel at Raja Bazaar, said, “There is no security outside the hotel adding
any one can enter the premises without any restriction and checking, adding it is very dangerous for those who are staying here.”
On the other hand the security has been beefed up outside posh hotels. Some roads have completely been blocked for traffic.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
