Vol. 12, Issue 6, Part B (2025)

Author(s): Shivansu Sachan, Ankit Kumar, Aishwarya Arya, Vanshika Srivastava, Prashant Singh, Neha Mishra, Ashutosh Pathak and Shrusti Sonker

Abstract: Urban hospitality zones, characterized by dense hotel infrastructure, landscaped environments, artificial water features, and high human mobility, have emerged as overlooked ecological niches favoring mosquito proliferation. The present study investigates the role of urban hospitality clusters as emerging mosquito breeding hotspots and evaluates their ecological significance in terms of vector abundance, breeding habitat availability, and public health risk. A systematic ecological survey was conducted across selected urban hotel belts, including luxury hotels, budget accommodations, and mixed-use hospitality complexes. Larval and adult mosquito sampling was performed using standard dipping methods, ovitrap surveillance, and light trap collections. Physico-chemical characteristics of breeding water were also analyzed. Results revealed a high density of mosquito breeding habitats associated with ornamental water bodies, rooftop water storage, stagnant drainage systems, and poorly maintained landscaped areas. Aedes species dominated the larval collections, followed by Culex and Anopheles. Seasonal variation significantly influenced breeding intensity, with peak abundance observed during the monsoon and post-monsoon periods. The study highlights that hospitality-driven urbanization unintentionally creates favorable microhabitats that facilitate mosquito survival and disease transmission. The findings emphasize the urgent need for integrating ecological vector surveillance into urban hospitality management and destination health planning. Strengthening environmentally sustainable mosquito control measures within hospitality operations is critical for safeguarding guest health and maintaining urban tourism resilience.

DOI: 10.22271/23487941.2025.v12.i6b.879