Mysuru: Hotel Owners’ Association (HOA) president C Narayana Gowda on Saturday said Mysuru—a city that receives thousands of tourists daily—is witnessing a decline in tourist arrivals due to the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders. He urged the state govt to intervene and reallocate at least 20% of available cylinders to the hotel industry.Speaking to reporters, Gowda said the shortage has created an unusual situation where tourists are calling hotels in advance to check whether food will be available before confirming their visit.“Hotels are being forced to buy gas cylinders from private suppliers at very high prices to continue operations. Otherwise, nearly 50% of hotels would have been shut,” he said.Gowda said food and civil supplies minister KH Muniyappa had requested hotel owners to cooperate for a week until the situation stabilises. “We are extending our cooperation as requested. But if the crisis continues, thousands of people who depend on the hotel industry for their livelihood will be pushed to the streets,” he warned.The shortage has also affected visitors, with many tourists struggling to find places serving meals. The slowdown in hotel business has had a ripple effect on the agricultural sector as well.“With reduced hotel activity, the demand for vegetables has dropped sharply. As a result, prices have crashed — tomatoes are selling for as low as Rs 3 per kg,” he said, adding that farmers are facing heavy losses.Gowda urged the Karnataka govt to act immediately, keeping in mind the interests of both farmers and tourists. He appealed to chief minister Siddaramaiah to intervene and resolve the LPG supply crisis at the earliest.Meanwhile, several hotels in the city remained closed on Saturday, disappointing tourists. Many hotel owners have turned to private gas suppliers, who are charging exorbitant rates.“If hotel closures continue for more days, it will create serious problems for everyone,” he cautioned.
