MYSTIC EAST - STRATEGY FOR REVIVAL - Hotel & Restaurant Association of Eastern India
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
MYSTIC EAST
...an unexplored horizon A bi-monthly magazine by HRAEI | Vol 6 | Issue 2 | July - August 2020
STRATEGY
FOR
REVIVAL
HOW TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE
IN THE PANDEMIC
Manufacturer of premium quality Hakka noodles (Chow), Pasta, Vermicelli and 3D Papad (Pellets).
Currently available across Eastern India (General trade) & Modern trade (Pan India).
For Trade Enquiries:
Emery Foods Pvt. Ltd., Vill.: Bansai, P.O.: Kanaipur, Dist.: Hooghly 712234
Contact Person: Alok Kumar Ginodia, Mob: 9903670707
Email: ishaanginodia@emeryfoods.com
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
RRecently in a webinar, Union Minister Mr
Nitin Gadkari said that the government is
considering an INR 20,000 crores fund to
support restructuring of NPAs under the cur-
rent policy. The Minister for Road Transport,
We should follow Winston
Churchill’s famous quote: never
waste a good crisis.
Minister informed that the government has
announced various schemes to help the
MSME sector to overcome the working cap-
ital constraints in the wake of the Covid-19
pandemic. He said that the INR 3 lakh
Highways, and MSME asked the hospitality crores MSME fund is aimed at enhancing
industry to look at setting up an NBFC to the liquidity in the market which is critical
take care of the capital requirements of the to drive demand and supply. He said that
industry. He said that as many hotels earn the government is giving guarantee for
revenues in dollars, it becomes easy for such collateral free 20% additional working cap-
NBFCs to access foreign funds at much lower ital assistance and there should not be any
interest rates. This will help the hotel industry hesitation on the part of the banks to help
to access loans at less than 3% interest com- the businesses. Similarly, he said that the
pared to over 10% interest being charged by government will soon release INR 20,000
the Indian banking system. crores fund to support the restructuring of
This is a brilliant suggestion by the NPA under the present policy. I think our
Minister which can go a long way to help members should take this opportunity fol-
hotels and restaurants revive their fortunes lowing Winston Churchill’s famous quote:
after the pandemic. In addition to this, the never waste a good crisis.
Mr Sudesh Poddar
President, HRAEI
MYSTIC EAST | 3
EDITOR’S MESSAGE
Hotel food and beverage (F&B) operations
are among some of the most-affected
MYSTIC EAST
A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE BY HRAEI
industries by Covid-19. As a result of the
Vol 6 | Issue 2 | July - August 2020
coronavirus, hotels all over the world have
changed their catering options to allow for
EDITORIAL BOARD
drive-through, curbside pick-up, take-out SUDESH PODDAR
and delivery. Occupancy rates have fallen PRESIDENT, HRAEI
drastically because of the high risk of travel MOHAMMED AZHAR
HONOURARY SECRETARY
and the need for social distancing. People
GOPAL DAS AGARWAL
are also doing more of their own cooking. VICE PRESIDENT
If this trend continues, it could have major S. H. RAHMAN
repercussions for the dining-out industry. MANAGING COMMITTEE MEMBER
Since nothing inspires innovation as well EDITOR
ATIKRAM GUPTA
as necessity, hotels globally have pivoted to
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT
embrace new ways of providing service for SUSMIT BARMAN
guests. These include contactless methods of CHIEF DESIGNER
booking and payment, ordering meals ahead SOMU DUTTA
of arrival, outdoor dining spaces and so on. ‘Mystic East’ magazine is printed
To offer "At Home" experiences of a bar, The- and published by Atikram Gupta on behalf of Hotel and
Restaurant Association of Eastern India.
odore's family-run snack bar in Melbourne,
Printed at CDC Printers Private Limited, No.45, Radha Nath
Australia, has restyled itself as Ted's Grocer Chowdhury Road, Tangra Industrial Estate-II, Kolkata, West
and Bottle-Shop, selling snacks, take-home Bengal 700 015
meals, hand-made cocktails and platters. Hotel and Restaurant Association of Eastern India, 18A/1,
Elsewhere, some venues are maximizing Everest , 18th Floor, 46C,
their use of self-service through technology Chowringhee Road, Kolkata- 700 071;
Telephone- +91 33 2288-1742/43, 40035993.
and robotics, with inventions like automated E-mail: info@hraei.co.in
salad makers that don't need human contact. Website: www.hraei.co.in
THIS ISSUE OF MYSTIC EAST CONTAINS 56 PAGES INCLUDING COVER AND BACK COVER
All information in Mystic East magazine is derived from sources we consider reliable and a sincere effort is made to report accurate information. The publisher
regrets that he cannot accept liability for error and omissions contained in this publication that might have crept in inadvertently. Similarly, opinions/views
expressed by third parties are not necessarily shared by the magazine. However, we wish to advise our readers that one or more recognised authorities may hold
different views than those reported. Material used in this publication is intended for information purpose only. Readers are advised to seek specific advice before
acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use, and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances..
No part of the magazine may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publication in writing. The same
rule applies when there is a copyright or the article is taken from another publication. An exemption is hereby granted for the extract used for the purpose of
fair review, provided two copies of the same publication are sent to us for our records. Publications reproducing material either in part or in whole, without
permission could face legal action. The publisher assumes no responsibility for returning any material, solicited or unsolicited, nor is he responsible for material
lost or damaged.
4 | MYSTIC EAST
July - August 2020
Over 520 rooms of 17 hotels in Kolkata entered into tie-ups
with hospitals meant for Covid patients. The hotels that are
functioning as satellite centres for hospitals are registering
occupancy in excess of 70 per cent. With the prospect of
regular business resuming any time soon extremely bleak,
more hotels have now stepped forward to offer their rooms as
Covid-care facilities.
The tie-up with hotels has helped hospitals meet the bed
crisis. The hospitals deploy staff at the hotels to monitor
patients. Apart from 24×7 presence of nurses, doctors visit the
facility twice a day. In addition, all medical amenities, includ-
ing oxygen cylinders, are kept at the hotel to meet emergency
needs. Doctors take a call on when a patient’s care needs to
shift from a satellite facility to a hospital or when the person
can be discharged. Hotels provide housekeeping services
and food to the patients, most of whom are asymptomatic or
mildly symptomatic.
Hospital authorities also train hotel staff, front desk, house-
keeping and waiters on how to go about their jobs safely.
A mid-way home-type accommodation — between one’s
own residence and the hospital — is a good idea to host less
symptomatic or asymptomatic cases. But care should be taken
In this way hotels to ensure that the general complaints, which thousands of
have come forward patients seem to have with hospitals (especially regarding
billing), do not afflict these institutions as well.
to serve ailing In this way hotels have come forward to serve ailing citizens.
citizens In the process they are also trying to get some business and
cope up the immense loss brought about by the pandemic.
Mr Mohammed Azhar
Honourary Secretary
MYSTIC EAST | 5
Inside
Cover Story
July - August 2020
23
HOW TO
SURVIVE,
REVIVE AND
THRIVE
The Ficci-Grant
Thornton Report on
Covid-19 impact on
travel, tourism and
hospitality industry
8 NEWS
Kolkata hotels turn
themselves into Covid care
hospitals
9
Nitin Gadkari advises
hospitality bigwigs to set
up NBFCs
Les Roches to assist
10 Indian students travelling
to Switzerland for 59TH AGM OF HRAEI
12
education A new set
of leadership
for 2020-21
6 | MYSTIC EAST
July - August 2020
18 FREEDOM,
PRIVACY AND
SPACE
38 'CARE COMES
FIRST'
Rosewood Apartment
Hotels introduces the
concept of luxuries in large Interview of Tejinder Singh, Area
rooms Manager East ITC Hotels & Cluster
General Manager ITC Royal Bengal
& ITC Sonar
34 DISTRIBUTED
RESTAURANT
How Covid-19 is going
42 AWESOME
ASSAM
The new tourism policy of Assam
to impact design of encourages private investments in
restaurants the state
MYSTIC EAST | 7
HRAEI CORNER
KOLKATA HOTELS TURN THEMSELVES INTO
COVID-CARE HOSPITALS AS CASES SPIKE
O VER 520 rooms of 17 hotels in
Kolkata entered into tie-ups
with hospitals meant for Covid pa-
24×7 presence of four nurses, doctors
visit the facility twice a day. In addition,
all medical amenities, including oxygen
of medicines to the patient,” said
Pranav Singh, President, HRAEI.
Hospital authorities also train hotel
tients. “The hotels that are function- cylinders, are kept at the hotel to meet staff, front desk, housekeeping and
ing as satellite centres for hospitals emergency needs,” said ILS group waiters on how to go about their jobs
are registering occupancy in excess of vice-president Debashis Dhar. Doctors safely. Only digital documents are
70 per cent. With the prospect of reg- take a call on when a patient’s care accepted and payments, too, have to
ular business resuming any time soon needs to shift from a satellite facility to be transferred digitally. A mid-way
extremely bleak, more hotels have a hospital or when the person can be home-type accommodation — be-
now stepped forward to offer their discharged. Hotels provide housekeep- tween one’s own residence and the
rooms as Covid-care facilities,” said ing services and food to the patients, hospital — is a good idea to host less
Sudesh Poddar, honorary secretary most of whom are asymptomatic or symptomatic or asymptomatic cases.
of Hotel & Restaurant Association of mildly symptomatic. But care should be taken to ensure
Eastern India (HRAEI). “The rooms are provided with an that the general complaints, which
“The tie-up with hotels has helped oximeter, thermometer, sphygmoma- thousands of patients seem to have
hospitals meet the bed crisis. Our ILS nometer (machine to measure blood with hospitals (especially regarding
facility has deployed staff at Sonnet ho- pressure) and attimes, saline stands. billing), do not afflict these institu-
tel to monitor the patients. Apart from The hospital provides a week’s supply tions as well.
8 | MYSTIC EAST
NEWS July - August 2020
HOTEL INDUSTRY SHOULD TRY TO SET
UP ITS OWN NBFCS: NITIN GADKARI
A DDRESSING a webinar organ-
ised by FHRAI, Gadkari said that
the government is considering an INR
For instance, every industry has
to think out of the box, the Minister
said. The Minister informed that the
the current obstacles being faced by
the nancial institutions in restruc-
turing such assets. The framework is
20,000 cr fund to support restructur- government has announced various ready and will be released soon, he
ing of NPAs under the current policy schemes to help the MSME sector to said.
Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for overcome the working capital con- Gadkari said that people and busi-
Road Transport, Highways, and MSME straints in the wake of the Covid-19 nesses have to learn the “art of living”
has asked the hospitality industry to pandemic. He said that the INR 3 lakh under the Covid-19 and should learn
look at setting up an NBFC to take cr MSME fund is aimed at enhancing to adjust with it. Saying that he fully
care of the capital requirements of the liquidity in the market which is understands the problems of the hos-
the industry. The Union Minister critical to drive demand and supply. pitality sector in the country, Gadkari
said that as most of the hotels earn He said that the government is giving said that the government has asked
revenues in dollars, it becomes easy guarantee for collateral free 20% all state governments to postpone all
for such NBFCs to access foreign additional working capital assistance mandatory fee and charges associat-
funds at much lower interest rates. and there should not be any hesita- ed with the hotel industry.
This will help the hotel industry to tion on the part of the banks to help Responding to the questions of
access loans at less than 3% inter- the businesses. the hoteliers, Gadkari said the MSME
est compared to over 10% interest Similarly, he said that the govern- department has set up a dedicated
being charged by the Indian banking ment will soon release a INR 20,000 platform - Champions - for MSMEs
system. The Union Minister cited the cr fund to support the restructuring to address their grievances associ-
example of some of the Automobile of NPA under the present policy. The ated with the government schemes
companies in the country who have government will take equity stake in and all the issues will be addressed
set up their own NBFCs. the restructuring of NPAs to remove through it.
MYSTIC EAST | 9
NEWS
LES ROCHES TO COLLABORATE WITH
QUINTESSENTIALLY TO ASSIST INDIAN STUDENTS
TRAVELLING TO SWITZERLAND FOR EDUCATION
Indian students during their journey.”
Speaking on their collaboration, Mr.
Adrian Artimov, Director of Marketing
and Enrolment at Les Roches said “We
understand that some students from
India have been worried about travel-
ling and hence we wanted to assure
them and their parents by providing
the best concierge service in India.
We are extremely delighted to be
partnering with Quintessentially and
hope that we can achieve our aim of
providing a pleasant journey to all
our students. Les Roches is one of the
best hospitality management schools
in the world and by partnering with
I N the current context, Indian stu-
dents are naturally apprehensive
of travelling abroad, and, therefore,
luxury and assistance. From memora-
ble events, to luxury travel, corporate
services, global customer loyalty
such an exclusive concierge service,
we are showcasing how 5-star hospi-
tality works to our students through
to cater to their needs, Les Roches is programmes and much more, they first hand experience.”
launching a one of a kind partner- are proud to partner with the world’s After having travelled to Switzer-
ship with Quintessentially India, an most recognized brands such as Les land using Quintessentially concierge
award-winning luxury concierge and Roches and support Indian students services, the students will arrive to
lifestyle management service com- in their travel abroad. the comfort of the campus where
pany. Ms. Mishti Bose, CEO of Quint- they will meet the designated Les
Les Roches is offering free access essentially India said “It is an abso- Roches staff to smoothly continue
to a private Quintessentially account lute honor to collaborate with Les further their integration and accom-
manager that will help students pre- Roches, one of the leading hospi- modate them in preparation for the
pare their travel details for Switzer- tality institutions in the world. We studies ahead.
land for the October intake this year, believe our brand ethos is in per- Les Roches is a part of Sommet
offering a personalized services pack fect tandem with the ethos of Les Education, which also includes sister
which will include flight booking, Roches. Uncompromising on quality, schools Glion Institute of Higher Ed-
airport transfer, meet and greet at we at Quintessentially are agile prob- ucation and Ecole Ducasse under its
the airport, VIP lounge access and a lem solvers who are passionately umbrella. The collaboration between
personal protective equipment pack. committed to connecting the Indian Les Roches and Quintessentially shall
Founded in 2000, as the first private community to their brand partner also be extended to the sister schools
members club, Quintessentially India at Les Roches through authentic, and the services shall be offered to
has come a long way to becoming meaningful experiences and aim the students that shall be attending
the authority and the real voice of to provide perfect assistance to the Glion and Ducasse this coming year.
10 | MYSTIC EASTJuly - August 2020
PRIDE HOTELS LAUNCHES AN ALL NEW
CATERING SERVICE EXPERIENCE
T HE Pride Hotels has launched new catering service ex-
perience at its, New Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune,
Nagpur, Chennai and Bangalore properties. The hotel group
with online food delivery aggregator platforms to deliver its
food delicacies at customers' doorsteps.
“We are constantly working towards re-modeling our ser-
opens its services for doorstep deliveries redefining the vices for guest satisfaction whether it’s at our premises or at
dining experience in the New Normal. The initiative enables our guests’ chosen venue. This contactless order, payment
the customers to enjoy food delicacies with ‘contactless’ and delivery option will help us in delivering a responsible
delivery and unique food offering to satiate their cravings. guest experience. Through this initiative our guests will be
The catering menu is curated by the team of expert chefs able to experience and indulge in their favourite cuisine
and culinarians featuring an interesting amalgamation from the popular restaurants of Pride Group of Hotels
of Indian food concepts and local ingredients together. present at their cities.” says, Atul Upadhyay, Vice President
These are small bites and memorable flavours. Be it au- Operations, Pride Hotels Ltd.
thentic Home Style Mixed Vegetable, Dal Makhani and As a part of the ‘New Normal’ and keeping the present
Paneer Achari from the Vegetarian menu; Murgh Dum circumstances in mind, the Pride Hotel has launched the
Biryani, Lamb Rogan Josh and Rara Ghost Punjabi from the ‘Pride Safety Assurance’. It’s a commitment from the Group
Non-Vegetarian menu and Pasta, Sandwich & Burger from of taking care of its guests at every step of its service.
the Asian menu, one can savour it all at their home. Under ‘Pride Safety Assurance’ initiative, the Pride hotel
This initiative was taken by the Pride Hotels to make sure has rolled out enhanced technological measures like con-
that its loyal patrons don’t miss out on their favourite cui- tactless check-in & check-out services, contactless billing
sine due to COVID. To amplify the concept of ‘Luxury-in-Pri- facility, touch less dispensing centre for the sanitizers and
vacy’ the hotel group is now offering exclusive catering ser- mobile friendly dining menu. The initiative is designed to
vices for personal meets at home. Pride Group will help in tackle the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic at the hotel
making the celebrations successful with delightful culinary level and further advance the company’s efforts in this
creations and flawless service. Pride Hotels have partnered area
MYSTIC EAST | 11AGM NEWS 59th Annual General Meeting of HRAEI The HRAEI AGM was held at The Park, Kolkata on September 3. A new set of leadership was elected for the FY 2020-21 Mr Sudesh Poddar gets elected as the President, HRAEI. President Emeritus Mr T.S.Walia welcomes him 12 | MYSTIC EAST
July - August 2020
Mr Sudesh Poddar felicitated by Mr Pranav Singh
59th Annual General Meeting of HRAEI at The Park, Kolkata
MYSTIC EAST | 13AGM NEWS Newly elected members of the Managing Committee of HRAEI Members attending the Annual General Meeting at The Park 14 | MYSTIC EAST
July - August 2020
THE ROADMAP
AHEAD
H
OTEL and Restaurant Associ-
ation of Eastern India (HRAEI)
has elected a new set of
leadership for the region for the next
one year. Mr Sudesh Poddar, an emi-
nent hotelier, with business interest in
the hospitality industry in the States of
Assam and West Bengal,
was elected as the President of the
association in the recently concluded
Annual General Meeting held in Kolk-
ata.
Mr Poddar said that his top priority
is to revive the hospitality and tourism
industry in the eastern part of India
hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr
Poddar is an authority in the business
of hotels and is thoroughly acquainted
with the industry and also possesses
35 years of experience along with
immense expertise and acquaintance
in the field. In the past, Mr. Poddar has
been very closely associated with HRAEI
and FHRAI in different capacities. He
has held office as the President of HRAEI
for four consecutive years, during the
year commencing from 2014 and upto
2018. Mr. Poddar has also held post as
the treasurer of FHRAI for 2 consecutive
years during the years 2014 - 15 and
2015-16 and also held post as Honor-
ary Secretary in HRAEI during the year
2019-20. He is also a member (Catering
Expert) on the Board of Governors
of Hotel Management and Catering
Technology, Kolkata. He took charge at
a moment when the industry is going
through a tough challenge. He spoke
to Mystic East in an exclusive interview.
MYSTIC EAST | 15AGM NEWS
The excerpts: and Restaurants during their stay and The rooms charges were highly sub-
Congratulations for getting elected in this way revenue can be generated. sidised including meals in all types of
as the President of Hotel & Restau- We have also appealed for complete hotels—ranging from budget to star
rants Association of Eastern India GST holidays for 6 Months (at the hotels. At a later stage, many turned
(HRAEI). Now that the hospitality state Level) with declining revenues their rooms as satellites of some
industry is going through one of almost all hospitality businesses are hospitals as they ran out of beds. We
the toughest crises what is your running out of working capital. In also provided rooms for the inbound
plan to revive business? addition, we have asked for relaxation passengers from abroad as a part of
Our industry is indeed going through in excise license fee up to 50% rebate Vande Bharat Mission. In addition, we
the worst crisis in recent history. My for the year 2020-2021 and allowing held a sanitization drive in Lans-
top priority is to revive the hospi- adjustment with the next year re- downe market following a request
tality and tourism industry in the newal fee for those who have already from the honourable Chief Minister of
eastern part of India, hit hard by the paid should be considered which West Bengal.
Covid-19 pandemic. To attract more will help in revival of the business.
tourists in the region, especially the Reduction of 50% on sanction fee Did you meet the Chief Minister?
North Eastern India, we shall make and fire license for upcoming hotel Yes. We met her when she called
appeal to the Government for more projects must also be considered; it several industry bodies for discussion
flights and easier access. We are in will encourage entrepreneur to open in the fight against the novel corona-
the process of making a roadmap to new hotels and which will in turn virus. We stated that we have offered
promote a lot of inbound tourism to generate new job opportunities. Also over 2000 rooms to the State Health
tap the tremendous potential of this capital subsidy should be given for Department as quarantine centres for
region. We have a deep concern for new hotel projects. those affected by Covid-19. We made
those entrepreneurs who invested her a request to arrange health insur-
in the tourism and hospitality sector After the Covid-19 the HRAEI ance coverage of Rs 10 lakhs to each
before the pandemic. They were hit seems to have taken up taken up a hotel staff attending the quarantine
hard by Covid-19. With zero business number of social initiatives. centres. The Chief Minister prom-
they had hard time paying their staff, We stood behind governments ised to cover the workers under the
rentals for their property and also the during the hour of crisis. We offered government’s Swasthya Sathi health
utility bills. Some of them are on the isolation rooms for Covid-19 people insurance scheme. She also compli-
verge of going bust. We shall appeal who were asked to live in quarantine mented the Association for our “noble
for moratoriums on loan repayment for two weeks at pay-and-use basis. services”. We donated Rs 5 lakhs to
and relaxation on interest rates on the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
loans for them.
How are the hotels and restaurants
What else is in your Roadmap doing after their reopening after
Ahead? We have a deep lockdown?
In the light of the lockdown due to concern for Weekends are attracting customers.
Covid-19 the Association submit- In some restaurants in the Park Street
ted the following suggestions and
those entrepreneurs area one could see people waiting
prayers to the Governments of West who invested for seats. Especially after the govern-
Bengal, Odisha, Assam and Anda- in the tourism and ment allowed restaurants to serve
man & Nicobar Islands. To revive the drinks and bars open, things are
hospitality & tourism sectors we have hospitality sector getting better. But we are concerned
requested governments to engage before the pandemic. about those who are still not getting
very actively in organising more con- enough business to survive. Many big
ferences and seminars in the states.
They were hit hotels are attracting families through
This will increase the footfall and hard by Covid-19. “staycation” packages. But then bud-
delegates attending the conferences get hotels are still struggling to get
will avail the services of the Hotels customers.
16 | MYSTIC EASTAPARTHOTELS FREEDOM, PRIVACY AND AMPLE SPACE The concept of enjoying the luxuries of a hotel in a larger room with the facility and freedom to make one's own meals always intrigued Saurabh Vaish, the Founder and Managing Director of Rosewood Apartment Hotels
APARTHOTELS
Saurabh Vaish, the Founder and Managing Director of Rosewood Apartment Hotels
R
OSEWOOD Apartment Hotels Corporate Home Away from Home, ings also host a gym, restaurant,
is the first fully organised curating stays in Golf Course Villas, business centre, residents’ lounge
aparthotel brand in North Mountain Valley Villas and others are and conference rooms.
India. The idea of apartment ho- in the pipeline. Rosewood cuts out unnecessary
tels was conceptualised in 2008 This chain of apartment hotels premiums such as meals that a
and today the brand boasts of five gives guests the privacy and flexibil- guest may not use. Guests can cook
properties at Gurugram, Haridwar, ity to be on their own with minimal- meals in the fully-equipped kitchen
Pantnagar, Bhimtal and Dhanachuli istic interference and are at their and eat in the comfort of their own
. Now Rosewood plans to spread its beck-n-call if need be. Each studio living area. The serviced apartments
wings in other cities like Ahmed- apartment comes with a full-fledged are crafted with thoughtful homely
abad, Noida and Dehradun. The and equipped kitchenette, a lobby touches to make your stay even
launch of Rosewood Villas-- Luxury area and housekeeping. The build- more comfortable.
20 | MYSTIC EASTJuly - August 2020
With Rosewood, being able to live
and sleep in different rooms whilst
away from home is a luxury you can
afford. The serviced apartments are a
welcome alternative to the all-in-one
hotel room, providing more space in
comparison.
The live-in in the apartment offers
more freedom and privacy com-
pared to other run-of-the-mill hotels.
Guests are not constrained by fixed
meal times and avoid food they
may not enjoy. The unique chain of
aparthotels was founded and con-
ceived by Mr Saurabh Vaish. Mr Vaish
spoke to Mystic East in an exclusive
interview. Excerpts:
Q: What inspired you to conceive
Rosewood Apartment Hotels?
A: Extensive travelling at a young
age with my parents and staying at
some of the best hotels always made
me admire the finesse & quality
in this industry. This fascination for
hospitality developed into a passion
during my 18-month management
trainee program at Jaypee Hotels &
ITC Maurya, New Delhi, way back in
1988. Since then I have been aspiring
to own and manage a star rated hotel
property. This opportunity emerged
20 years later in 2008 when I decided
to switch from my textile manufactur-
ing business to the fast-growing ser-
vice sector. The mere fact of providing
a quality product and a delightful
customer experience has always been
very exciting and close to my heart.
I find that the hospitality industry
offers immense opportunity to fulfil
this desire since it offers a dynamic
environment and varied guest service
requirements, along with challenges
of developing and managing prop-
erties to be able to offer a quality
product.
During my travels, we used to fre-
Rosewood Apartment Hotels at Dhanachuli quently stay at serviced apartments
MYSTIC EAST | 21APARTHOTELS Rosewood Apartment Hotels at Gurgaon and the concept of enjoying the lux- uries of a hotel in a larger room with the facility and freedom to make your own meals always intrigued me. I found that there is a huge gap in North India in the mid-segment ser- viced apartment business and hence we chose industrial and corporate hubs which offered the possibili- ties of extended stays to setup our properties. This thought and concept led us to the industrial town of Pantnagar in Uttarakhand and our first property was established. Q: What makes your property stand out in the hospitality industry in India? A: We are North India’s first organized Apartment Hotel chain offering 4-star hotel luxuries in a serviced apartment environment. Rosewood Apartment Hotels at Pantnagar 22 | MYSTIC EAST
July - August 2020
near industrial and corporate hubs
which enable us to get long stay
guests who are able to truly benefit
and appreciate the facilities of our
property.
We have now ventured out into
two leisure locations one facing a
lake and the other with spectacular
views of the snow-capped Himala-
yas. These are again being primarily
offered to our corporate clients for
their offsite trainings and leisure
trips.
4. Do you prefer to build a proper-
ty from scratch or buy an existing
property and then refurbish it
according to your requirement?
Since we don’t have standard hotel
rooms, we prefer to build from
scratch. However, we also explore
existing properties but only those
which can be customized according
Rosewood Apartment hotels at Bhimtal
to our concept and requirements.
The four distinct features which erties whether it be the crockery, 5. Who are your guests? Are they
set us apart from other properties in cutlery, linen, guest amenities etc. people from the corporate houses?
our vicinity are: making us comparable to 5-star
Or, families on pilgrimage?
Large size rooms (400 sqft. to 700 properties.
Since we are located in the indus-
sqft.) with fully equipped kitchenette • Each guest at our property is not
trial & corporate clusters, our
and all and facilities and comforts a room number but is known and
primary clientele are all the nearby
of a star rated hotel property with addressed by his name. We take
industries with whom we have cor-
flexible dining options – pride in extending the highest level
porate tie-ups and we prefer to en-
• Dine in our in-house restaurant of personalized service and even
tertain bookings only through them
• Order room service offering customized meals to our
or through their references. Some
• Cook your own meal in your kitch- long stay guests. This has resulted in
enette with complementary pantry more than 90% repeat clientele and of our major customers include Tata
shopping service the privilege of hosting a New Zea- Motors, Bajaj Auto, Ashok Leyland,
• Food delivery to your room from a land national for almost 3.5 years. Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra,
nearby restaurant. In addition, we try to ensure that Hero Moto Corp, TVS Group, Green-
• Each of our properties is profes- our long stay guests get a local fla- ply, Dabur, ITC Limited, Anchor by
sionally managed by a team of ho- vour, we extend to them personalized Panasonic, Tata Steel, Voltas, Saint
tel management graduates having curated experiences such as Ganga Gobain, Hindware, Hindustan Zinc,
adequate work experience in the Aarti, river rafting, kayaking /boating, JBM Group, VLCC, Yes Bank, Axis
hotel industry. forest treks, bird watching etc. Bank, Spicejet etc.
• There is immense attention to de- We were even featured as the “10
tail and standardization and we use 3. How do you choose the most promising corporate lodging
industry’s best suppliers for every location of a property? service providers in 2019” by the
item which we place in our prop- We primarily look at locations Silicon India Magazine.
MYSTIC EAST | 23APARTHOTELS
FANTASTIC FIVE
The Rosewood Haridwar The Rosewood Gurgaon
The aparthotel in Uttarakhand’s holiest city Haridwar The aparthotel offers a luxurious setting with
where the River Ganga emerges from the Himalayas, exquisitely styled guestrooms, a multi-cuisine
is an all-rounder, no doubt. It is home to businessmen, cafe, and a large conferencing space combined
spiritualists, yoga enthusiasts, family vacationers and with new-age technology and business support
adventure junkies! services.
The Rosewood Pantnagar The Rosewood Bhimtal
The aparthotel was launched in Pantnagar to cater to the Perched at 8500 feet above sea level, the
employees and visitors of the industries around the city in Rosewood experience in Dhanachulli is most
SIDCUL industrial area. It soon gained momentum and has exciting in the snowy winters. The scenic ham-
since seen staycation guests who base themselves at Pant- let has captivating views of the Himalayas, the
nagar and day trip to the nearby picturesque hill towns of dense forests and kids playing around in the
Ranikhet, Binsar and the seven-lake town Nainital. apple orchards.
The Rosewood Dhanachuli
Located in Mukteshwar, 19 miles from
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rosewood
Dhanachuli Retreat features views over
the Himalayas. It is fit for every kind of
traveller- business, leisure or someone
just looking for a scenic, spiritual and
quiet break.
24 | MYSTIC EASTJuly - August 2020
COVER STORY/STRATEGY
HOW TO SURVIVE,
REVIVE AND THRIVE
The FICCI & Grant Thornton Report gives a complete overview of Covid-19
Impact on Travel & Tourism and ways to rebuild the industry
T
HE travel and tourism indus- The tourism sector makes a signif- including wellness and adventure
try in India is looking at up icant impact on the economy of our tourism, as well as investment into
to 40 million job losses (both country. The data by World Travel and the industry through schemes, such
direct and indirect) and about USD Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals that as PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan,
17 billion in revenue loss in the next in 2019 the tourism industry in India which have proven to be successful
one year. contributed INR 194 billion to India’s in increasing the number of foreign
The COVID-19 pandemic has result- GDP. The industry also supported and domestic visitors in India.
ed in the loss of lives and livelihood 87.5 million jobs, 12.75% of total The government has also lever-
all across the globe. Industries across employment in 2018-19. Due to the aged e-visa capabilities and extend-
the spectrum have been impacted by impact of the pandemic on the glob- ed it to 169 countries making it easier
the pandemic, the travel and tourism al economy, the WTTC is estimating for individuals to visit our country.
industry has felt maximum impact losses of up to USD 2.7 trillion with Looking ahead, domestic tourism
due to grounding of planes, closure up to 100 million jobs at risk. The will be the way forward as inbound
of railways, hotels and other estab- travel and tourism industry in India is tourism will take longer to revive and
lishments. looking at up to 40 million job losses open up. Although the Indian travel
The travel and tourism industry has (both direct and indirect) and about and tourism industry has not re-
proven its importance as an eco- USD 17 billion in revenue loss in the ceived much support from the recent
nomic growth engine for the world next one year. announcements on the economic
economy. For nine years consecutive- All across the world, countries are relief package by the government,
ly, the industry’s growth rate has sur- looking at tourism as the main driver it should be considered as a priority
passed the growth rate of the global to revive their economy. The central sector. In order to achieve this, gov-
economy. In 2019, the industry grew government plays an important role ernment, industry and institutions
at 3.5% compared to global GDP in developing a strong visitor econ- must make collaborative efforts to
growth rate of 2.5%. Accounting for omy which is evident from the fact create a supportive ecosystem for
10.3% of total GDP, the industry con- that the Ministry of Tourism has also tourism.
tributed USD 8.9 trillion to the global undertaken a slew of initiatives, such We are happy that a National Tour-
GDP and created approximately 330 as the Incredible India 2.0 campaign ism Taskforce (NTF) has been formed
million jobs, one in 10 that year. focusing on niche tourism products by the Ministry of Tourism, Govern-
MYSTIC EAST | 25July - August 2020
ment of India. It will play a major including Mobile World Congress drop in both inbound and outbound
role in the survival and revival of the (MWC), Google I/O, and Facebook’s tourism of approximately 67% and
Indian travel and tourism industry so F8 event, leading to huge economic 52% respectively from January to
that it can once again be the torch losses. February as compared with the same
bearer for the Indian economy. The pandemic is estimated to have period last year.
We are pleased to present the FICCI a debilitating impact on the Indian The aviation sector, which contrib-
- Grant Thornton report, Travel and travel and tourism sector, which utes 2.4% of Indian GDP, is among
Tourism: Survive, revive and thrive includes hotels, travel agencies, tour the worst affected sectors due to
in times of COVID-19, which looks operators, destinations, family enter- COVID-19. The spread of the pan-
at the impact of this crisis and the tainment venues, restaurants and air, demic across the country, in the last
recommendations for survival and land and sea transportation, amongst two months, has led to a 47% decline
revival. This document will facilitate a others. Overall, losses are estimated in the passenger traffic. Following
better understanding of the chal- to total up to USD 16.7 billion. Being the lockdown in March, airlines have
lenges faced by the industry and the a large employment generator for been incurring parking charges as
opportunities for revival, both by the the country, 40-50 million jobs will nearly 650 planes of Indian carriers
government and private sector. be at risk in 2020, both directly and are now grounded. These airlines are
indirectly employed in the industry. liable to pay a lump sum amount of
Dr. Jyotsna Suri Past President, FICCI The Ministry of Tourism has consti- INR 6 million of parking and housing
Chairperson, FICCI Tourism Committee tuted a National Tourism Taskforce, charges. Airlines are also refraining
Chairperson and Managing Director, to be headed by the Minister of from increasing prices for the sum-
The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group State (I/C) for Tourism to meet the mer season. According to the Centre
challenges posed by COVID-19 and of Aviation (CAPA), the Indian aviation
Impact of COVID-19 on the will include state tourism ministers, industry could bear losses up to USD
travel and tourism sector in joint secretary level officers of the 3.6 billion during AprilJune 2020
India concerned central ministries, and rep- alone.
COVID-19 has disrupted interna- resentatives from associations, such The travel ban has largely impacted
tional travel trade and supply chains as FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM and WTCII, as tour operators and travel agencies
in an unprecedented way. Several well as heads of tourism and hospital- as the restrictions have not only
countries have suspended tourist ity associations. affected current bookings, but future
and business visas and banned both With large scale cancellation of bookings too. With March and April
domestic and international air travel, travel plans by both foreign and being peak season for Indian travel-
bringing economies to a screeching domestic tourists, there has been a lers heading to both domestic and
halt. The International Monetary Fund international destinations, nearly 90%
predicts a shrinkage of the global bookings of hotel and flights have
economy by 3% during 2020 due to been cancelled for the same period.
the novel coronavirus. Among these cancellations are cruise
With many economies yet to hit bookings for destinations such as
their infection apexes, experts predict Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. Ac-
Relief measures and
economies around the world to cording to the Indian Association of
recommendations by FICCI
shrink in the first quarter of 2020, Tour Operators (IATO), the hotel, avi-
to the Government of India
with ripple effects expected to be felt ation and travel sector together may
in the following months. The travel With coronavirus impacting the incur losses of about INR 8,500 crore
and tourism sector is the worst hit. Indian economy, the travel and due to travel restrictions imposed on
Of all the segments of the hospital- tourism industry is looking at foreign tourists by India which further
ity sector, the Meetings, Incentives, up to 50 million jobs at risk. For puts at risk the survival of smaller to
Conferences and Exhibitions - pop- the industry to tide over this cri- medium sized organisations includ-
ularly known as MICE segment - has sis, several relief measures have ing the jobs of several thousand, if
been hit the most with major inter- been recommended to the not lakhs of individuals. For tour
national business events cancelled Government of India by FICCI. operators and travel agents across
MYSTIC EAST | 27COVER STORY
Six-month moratorium to
be extended to a minimum
12-month moratorium period
on all working capital,
principal, interest payments,
loans and overdrafts
• Permit one-time rescheduling
of principal/interest dues in line
with the estimated cash flows of
each project post recovery from
COVID-19 without treating it as
restructuring, re-classification/
downgrading in asset qualification
and requirement of additional
provisioning.
• 12-month waiver of all statutory
dues including customs, excise
and license fees and increase in
insurance premiums
• Stimulus package to provide salary
support to businesses
• ESI contribution to be deferred for
12 months. Insurance corpus of
Hard surfaces, including seat trays, touch screens, door handles of a plane need
disinfection after each flight ESI should to be used to provide
wages to all covered workers
• Waiver and/or reduction of GST on
products offered by the sector for
the length and breadth of the coun- their challenges. a 12-month period
try, average losses in revenues com- Various pilgrimage sites, including
pared with the same period last year large temples across the country, • Direct cash support for the
have been in the range of 50-80%. have been closed in the wake of the aviation sector (airlines, ground
India has a total of 3961 centrally pandemic. Tirumala Venkateswara handling and airports)
protected sites either under UNESCO Temple, the richest Hindu temple has • Waiver of parking and landing
as a world heritage site or the Arche- incurred losses of nearly INR 125-130 charges
ological Survey of India (ASI). Monu- crore so far. Other temples in Tamil
ments, such as the Taj Mahal and Agra Nadu have also incurred losses due • Short-term, interest-free or low-in-
Fort in Agra and Qutub Minar in New to the lack of daily offerings. Closure terest loans for rebuilding busi-
Delhi, are the highest revenue earners of pilgrimages has also had cascad- nesses in the form of term loans
grossing annually INR 77 crore, INR 34 ing effects on hotels, homestays, and working capital loans
crore and INR 26 crore, respectively. businesses of travel agents as well as •C
reate a separate tourism fund
The livelihoods of approximately 1.75 floriculturists. under the aegis of Ministry of
lakh daily earners, including tour Negative impact on the Indian Tourism, accessible to the industry
guides, rickshaw pullers, photog- Railways has also been witnessed as a collateral free, 10 year loan,
raphers, etc., have been affected in ever since the nationwide seizure of with a moratorium of two years and
Agra alone. Tour guides with licenses rail services across the country. The minimal rate of interest to support
from the government are not allowed Indian Railways facilitate the move- businesses stabilise in this time of
to take up alternative jobs, adding to ment of goods as well as passengers. crisis
28 | MYSTIC EASTJuly - August 2020
The Indian Railways is expected to rate for fire, loss of profits COVID-19 without treating it as
witness losses amounting to INR • SGST to be waived off till the situa- restructuring, re-classification/
17 billion due to COVID-19; almost tion becomes normal downgrading in asset qualification
13,000 passenger trains have come to • Tax rebates by the government for and requirement of additional pro-
a standstill. encouraging spending on domestic visioning
There is an urgent need to take holidays (for example, LTA) and GST • Permit sanctioning of additional
immediate steps to not only contain relief and other incentives for corpo- facilities in the form of working
the spread of the virus but also to rates to organise meetings, incen- capital term loan for meeting cash
address the key pain areas of the tives, conferences and exhibitions flow mismatches during the period
industry to minimise the impact of (MICE) within the country affected by COVID-19. The tenure of
the outbreak on the Indian economy such facility shall be assessed based
and businesses. A combination of Regulatory measures on the individual project cash flows.
monetary, fiscal and financial mar- • Permit one-time rescheduling Such additional facilities to be treat-
ket measures is needed to help the of principal/interest dues in line ed as standard assets
businesses and people cope with the with the estimated cash flows of • I n case of projects under imple-
crisis. Therefore, to be able to frame each project post recovery from mentation, the banks/institutions/
correct actions and policy measures,
it is important to understand clearly
the specific problems that people and
businesses are currently facing. This
alone can enable the government to
take appropriate measures.
Measures recommended for the
survival and revival of the travel
and tourism sector
• While a six-month moratorium has
been granted to the industry, a min-
imum 12-month moratorium period
is needed on all working capital,
principal, interest payments, loans
and overdrafts. Collateral and inter-
est-free loans for five years for SMEs
in the sector to help them sustain
and rebuild
• A 12-month waiver of all statutory
dues with respect to license fees,
property tax and excise fees • Defer
GST and advance tax payments at
the Central Government level and
removal of fees for any upcoming
licenses, permits and their renewal
• Bailout packages to fund and
support salaries in the sector Export
status for foreign exchange earnings
for inbound tours and hotels
• A 12-month deferment in the in-
crease of insurance premium related
to standard fire and special perils Staff need to be trained a new standard operating process of safety and hygiene
MYSTIC EAST | 29COVER STORY
NBFCs be permitted to extend Relief measures requested for all categories of employees for the
the Date of Commencement of tour operators next 12 months
Commercial Operations (DCCO) • Restoration of Service Exports from • Employees to be allowed to with-
by one year without treating it as India Scheme (SEIS) scrips for duty draw a fixed sum of INR 10,000 for
restructuring as it would bedifficult credit of 10% to the tourism indus- up to six months from their EPF
for promoters to raise funds from try. accounts
other business/services for project • Extension of Services Export Promo- • ESI contribution to be deferred for
completion. tion Council (SEPC) membership to 12 months. The insurance corpus of
• Lending to tourism sector to be 31st march 2021 ESI needs to be used now to provide
treated as ‘priority sector lending’ • Finalisation of an aggressive Incred- wages to all organised workers for
at least for next one year which will ible India marketing plan during all accumulated days from nonavail-
enable access to bank finance lockdown and implementation on ability of work and the act needs to
• Amendments to Master Direction opening to drive domestic travel in be amended immediately
-Reserve Bank of India (Relief Mea- India • Professional tax to be waived for all
sures by banks in areas affected by • Approval of completed forms by companies as well as employees up
Natural Calamities) 2018-SCBs to Directorate General of Foreign Trade to March 2021
include: within 30 days to utilise the cash •R efunds of cancellations and
– COVID-19 in the definition of flow to pay salaries and expenses advances of travel agents and tour
natural calamity and permit use • No landing fees for Goa, i.e. charters operators from AIRLINES/IATA: MOT
of this circular for tourism sector land for free to encourage flights to and MOCA immediately advises
– Enabling NBFCs to use this circu- come back them to refund. Advances/float
lar (presently only applicable to • Same ticket prices for foreigners accounts also to be refunded in full
banks) and Indians for entry to historical immediately as they are of money
– Removing additional provision- monuments. in float/advances for not issued
ing requirement for the restruc- tickets
tured portion of loans under this Relief measures requested for • Billing period for IATA carriers to be
scheme travel agents extended to 15 days. MOCA should
• Support fund majorly for salaries underwrite these payments to travel
Policy measures and establishment costs through agents & tour operators which will
• Stimulus package to be formed to the following: be securitised against these re-
stabilise and support the sector in – Government to contribute ceivables from IATA and low-cost
the near-term, including a workforce 33.33% of take home salaries to carriers/non-IATA airline
support fund to ensure that there all employees of registered travel • Complete GST and income tax hol-
are no job losses agencies. iday for tourism, travel and hospi-
• Waiver of all statutory dues such as – Government to use funds of ESIC tality industry for period of twelve
advance tax, custom duties, excise to pay salaries of employees cov- months:
duties, etc. at central and state level ered under the scheme. – IT Holiday effective FY2019-20
for 12 months – No deduction of TDS on salaries – Reseller model for air travel
• Provision of a 12-month corporate for employees of the trade till agents to be permitted for corpo-
tax holiday to travel, tourism and March 2021 rates/customers with GST num-
hospitality sector and deferment of – Subsidise electricity by 33.33% ber with the agents directly on
payment of all statutory dues, such to give relief to 53,000+ travel payment basis since airlines don’t
as custom duties, excise duties, PF agents, more than 1.3 lakhs tour pay on payment/receipt basis and
and bank charges, at central and operators (domestic, inbound, credit GST only on flown basis
state level for 12 months adventure, cruise and outbound), – Unlock inter-head credit of GST
• Extension of annual renewal of li- more than 2,700 MICE organisers across IGST, CGST, SGST for tour
censes paid for in 2020 until the end and 19 lakh plus tourist transport- operators. Permanently allow
of 2021 without any incremental fee ers tour operators to claim IGST for
or charges • PF contribution to be waived off for hotel reservations/other services
30 | MYSTIC EASTJuly - August 2020
Hotels are revising their room cleaning protocols thoroughly
interstate basis as input credit to charge to companies in the sector. Opportunities for growth in the
claim ITC Thereafter, subsidised rates can ap- sector
– Roll back of TCS introduced in ply on actual consumption and not Promote niche travel products under
Budget 2020 by the finance against fixed load the Incredible India 2.0 campaign
minister • Export Promotion Capital Goods
– LTA like tax benefit for Indians for (EPCG) scheme to consider grant • Yoga and Ayurveda - Promote
two times a year for domestic and of extension in export obligation wellness tourism as a key unique
international travel. This will stim- fulfilment period by an additional selling product which will gain a lot
ulate domestic travel by Indians three years (beyond current limit of attraction in the near future
of six years) for all the licenses • Religious circuits - Religious circuits
Relief measures requested expiring during current and within is a highly unorganised travel market.
for hotels this and the next financial year, A complete relook is required to
• GST rates on companies in hospi- without attracting any penalty or formalise these offerings into circuits
tality should be slashed for at least interest for all faiths. Even the NRI market
two to three years. Currently, large can be tapped for this product, if
hotels are charged a GST rate be- Special package for the survival institutionalised well. Government
tween 12-18% based on room rate. of heritage hotels needs to play a unification role with
Now that hotels are almost empty, • The CSR initiatives for hotels, avia- state, private players, travel operators
the GST rate should be brought tion, travel, tourism entities should and other identified points of sale,
down to 5-6% with immediate be extended to Swatch Bharat, including fin-tech companies. A fea-
effect which in the case of tourism indus- sibility study should be conducted to
• 500 units of electricity per month try, should include monuments, connect the religious sites by modes
and water to be provided free of tourist sites, and other facilities of transport such as aerial ropeway
MYSTIC EAST | 31COVER STORY
parking space on a chargeable basis
for overnight halts with CCTV for
additional security.
• Film industry - Government must
encourage film makers to shoot at
Indian locales in order to showcase
India further to both domestic and
foreign markets and subsequently
create demand. India should have a
single window clearance for all shoots
to reduce delay and uncertainties. In-
dia should also provide a cash rebate
to reduce cost of shootings as movie
shoots are a medium to increase
footfalls across the country.
Promote the corporate travel
segment
Online travel companies and travel
management companies in India
must develop technology platforms
to aid and develop the corporate
hotel segment. This would ensure
bookings and payments are made
from India thus allowing revenues
Immediately after the pandemic there will be holiday rush of tourists to sit in India rather than overseas as
currently payments are made either
by overseas associates or out of the
and trollies. Rail, bus, and IRCTC need attract younger population who per diem foreign exchange allowance
to all work in cohesion for the circuits could combine their air/rail travel for the traveller.
to be a success with self-driven cars. The self-driven Current trends and patterns
• Culinary tourism - It is a great cars should have an in-built applica- indicate bookings and payments are
opportunity to explore variety of tion for navigation and facilities for made by the traveller overseas, which
cuisines in the country. Focus on the traveller/driver can be brought in-house by the com-
creating culinary circuits and trails • Caravan tourism - It should be panies. Not only will it increase their
and promote it extensively through promoted for road trip holidays as penetration but will also contribute
digital campaigns. Promote local food it will give a unique experience to to government through GST collec-
by partnering with online restaurant visit many destinations while limiting tions.
aggregators for showcasing dining in contact with others. Government
experiences of cafes/restaurants should come up with caravan circuits Create a more conducive business
• Self-drive holidays - Self-drive hol- and identified camping spots. These environment
idays, including hiring of self-driven camping spots should have the infra- The government should re-visit their
cars need a complete re-look in the structure for waste management and regulations, taxation and other norms
Indian market. Currently, only 10,000 other basic services such as water and to increase ease of doing business
self-driven commercial vehicles are food. Petrol pumps on the highways in India. Organisations are choosing
registered in 30 cities across India. can also expand their services for car- to register their companies abroad
The base should be expanded to avans to provide waste management citing stable regulations, subsidised
include a larger number of railways, and other basic services including tax rates and increased global inves-
airports and city gate ways. This will cooking fuel. They can also provide tor interest as reasons. The Indian
32 | MYSTIC EASTYou can also read
