<span style="color: #222222;">The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the tourism industry on the whole and Aurangabad district in Maharashtra is no different. The district which sees heavy footfall throughout the year is staring at a bleak year in terms of revenue and livelihood.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AIR correspondent reports, Home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, the coronavirus pandemic has spelled doom for locals in Aurangabad district as the wait for reopening of these monuments seems endless.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">According to president of Aurangabad Tourism Development Foundation, Jaswant Singh, closure of monuments during the lockdown period has resulted in losses of over Rs. 450 crore.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Informing  that at least 15 thousand people are connected with the tourism industry in Aurangabad, Mr. Singh said the situation is likely to normalise only by September next year as tourists are still afraid to venture out.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Besides, the hotel industry that has come to a standstill, registered tour guides and shop owners who had their establishments near Ajanta and Ellora are surviving on their savings, hoping that things will improve sooner rather than later. </span><br />''