Balasore, Oct. 20: The tourism sector of the coastal district has been badly affected by Phailin and the subsequent floods here.

The twin calamities have dampened the tourism industry, which generally witnesses a boom during and after Dussehra.

The district boasts of having several tourist spots such as Chandipur beach, Panchalingeswar, Khira Chora Gopinath temple and Talsari beach.

Due to the twin disasters, the occupancy of all the lodges including the state government’s accommodations has come down to a mere 40 per cent. District tourist officer Biswajit Routray said: “The overall business of the district Panthanivas’ is about 35 to 40 per cent — be it at Chandipur, Panchalingeswar or Talsari. The calamities have affected the business prospects of the industry.”

“A large number of tourists from various parts of the country, especially from Bengal, visit this place. But, this time, due to the consecutive calamities, the tourist footfall has dropped,” said manager of Panthanivas in Chandipur Narayan Behera.

“While many tourists cancelled their advanced bookings, others couldn’t come as the road communication was cut off. Some left the lodge early in panic,” he said.

Not only the government establishments, even the private lodges and have been severely affected. “We are badly hit by the recent calamities. During Puja vacation we generally register 100 per cent occupancy. But this season it was only about 30 per cent,” said president of Balasore Hotel Association Rohini Ray.

“We are getting calls for bookings now,” he said.