Hotel industry suffers financial loss of ` 1200 cr

Following lockdown announced by State government on March 20 and Central government on March 25, all bars and restaurants in the city were closed down completely- bringing to a screeching halt all of their financial transactions.

All these bars and restaurants cumulatively account for financia transaction of more than 2500 crore in an year.

As a result, the hotel owners and restaurateurs are said to have suffered financia loss of about ` 1200 crore in the last six months, sources said.

Only 50 per cent hotels, restaurants reopen

President of Nagpur Residentaial Hotels and Restaraunt Association, Tejinder Singh Renu said near about 40,000 people directly or indirectly depend on hotel industry for their livelihood.

As all businesses were closed following announcement of lockdown, the workers employed by them migrated to their native places or jumped into some other professions like vegetable vending.

However, a large number of these employees have not yet returned to work due to which only fifty per cent hotels and restaurants have started business from October 5.

This apart, kitchen in many bars have also not started. Sources said the restaurants and bars would start functioning normally only after Dusshera and Diwali which would take at least one and half to two months.

In Nagpur, the number of hotels and restaurants, big and small is around 3000. Of them 15 are big hotels. As domestic airlines have not started their operations on full scale and railways too are running trains only for a few days of the week, the hotel industry is yet to get the required momentum.

Tejinder Singh Renu said though government has given permission to start hotels and restaurants, the guidlines for their operations on day to day basis are yet to be issued, though many hotel owners are abiding by the Covid-19 norms.

Despite this, police asked the restaurant owners to down shutters at 9 pm.

In Nagpur, customers visit the restaurants and hotels only after 8 pm. Hence, permission should be given to run hotels up to 11 pm, Tejinder Singh Renu demanded.

Time limit be extended

On the first day, Sadar and Sitabuldi police asked owners of hotels and restaurants to close business at 9 pm.

In Mumbai, permission has been granted to keep hotels open up to 12.30 pm. In Nagpur permission be given to keep hotels open up to 11 pm.

Swapnil Ahirkar, hotel owner.