Poll day: Many homestays stop bookings in Chikkamagaluru

MANGALURU:

Chikkamagaluru

is one of the most sought after weekend getaways especially by the techies of Bengaluru. With a long weekend and

polling day

falling on Thursday, (between two holidays—Mahavir Jayanti on Wednesday and Good Friday) tourists were expected to visit the district in large number. The

voter awareness drives

definitely seems to have had an impact and many homestays decided not to entertain guests on polling day. A few are catering to guests from other states and places where voting is not taking place, while many are also asking customers if they have voted, before they are allowed to check in.

Speaking to TOI, Samanvith of Guddadamane

Homestay

in Aldur said most reservations for the day are after 4.00pm, and the guests have assured that they would be checking in only after voting. “On the whole, it has been a dull day. This being a long weekend, people just want to come in and relax at our secluded property. Most of our guests are from Bengaluru. We do not have offers to attract people for elections or long weekends,” he said.

Nikita from The Great Escape on Mullayanagiri Road said, “We had lot of inquiries from people where polling is not being held today. But for the sake of polling, we decided to close down the homestay for a day, after some of the homestay representatives said that they had received notices not to entertain guests on polling day. We have not received any notice. This is probably for the first time we decided to close down on polling day. We are expecting guests from Thursday evening and on Friday,” she said.

Similarly, Coffee Estate Homestay too has decided not to take bookings for the day. Though there are certain guidelines, several homestay owners, after holding discussions, decided on their own not to accept bookings on polling day, said Rakshith.

“More awareness on voting has resulted in poor turnout at homestays on polling day—ahead of a long weekend. We have informed the guests to vote and come. We are expecting guests from Friday onwards,” said Suraj of Shanthi Kunnj Homestay in Ballehonnur.