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Mumbai, Mar 19 () The Federation of Hotel &amp; Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) on Thursday said it has made a representation to the government for stimulus package for the hospitality sector which is reeling from huge losses due to cancellations of bookings after the coronavirus outbreak. "Almost all tourism verticals have been severely impacted by the crisis. However, it is the hospitality industry that has been hit the most. Our members have reported cancellations reaching a critical stage of 90 per cent," FHRAI Vice-President Gurbaxish Singh Kohli said in a statement here. Kohli also said that forward bookings, which may have helped buffer the impact, are also negligible because of the uncertainty in containing the disease spread globally. He said, the meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE), wedding tourism, and other kinds of celebrations have been negatively impacted. "Hotels and restaurants are facing a catastrophic situation with revenues plunging drastically," he added. The hospitality industry is highly labour-intensive and is the biggest employment generator of both direct and indirect jobs. It is also one of the few industries that is capital-intensive requiring a big chunk of it reserved as working capital. "The industry employs the largest workforce and hoteliers have a responsibility towards taking care of their employees. This includes ensuring that they are paid on time as well as their well-being, especially now in the face of the pandemic," FHRAI Joint Honorary Secretary Pradeep Shetty said. In addition to this, the working capital is draining rapidly, which is hit by almost 90 per cent for both larger establishments and budget hotels and restaurants, he said. "Paying taxes including advance tax and GST is now straining the liquidity and is making it extremely difficult to manage day to day operations," he added. Under such circumstances adhering to timely payment of equate-monthly instalments (EMIs) or the repayment of loans is an onerous task and to survive, the industry has urged the government to intervene and offer the sector a stimulus. "Our goal is to extend support to the government and the hospitality industry in leveraging tourism's intrinsic potential and act as a catalyst for inclusive, equitable and sustainable economic growth for both public and private sectors," Kohli added. SM HRS

FHRAI seeks stimulus for hospitality sector

New Delhi, Mar 18 () Apex hospitality industry body Federation of Hotel &amp; Restaurant Associations Of India (FHRAI) on Wednesday asked its members to adhere to the instructions issued by government authorities on containing the spread of novel coronavirus. It advised the members to maintain stringent checks and hygiene standards, FHRAI said in a statement, adding it does not advocate shutting down of restaurants unless there is any specific directive from local authorities in this regard. "The Federation has members across the country and we are not asking anyone to shut down their establishments. But yes, we are insisting that everyone who is open to business be extremely aware and vigilant and that they take all the precautionary measures, and follow the directives by local authorities," FHRAI Vice President Gurbaxish Singh Kohli said. FHRAI has been issuing updated advisories to the members, as received from the Ministry of Health, and has asked them to follow the precautionary measures and guidelines rigorously, he added. The guidelines prescribe preventive measures with regards to safety of staff, diners and tourists in their premises, the statement said. "We have advised member establishments that the staff and customers be thoroughly screened. Anyone indicating symptoms of cough, cold, flu be immediately sent for medical check up to the nearest government hospital," FHRAI Jt Honorary Secretary Pradeep Shetty said. Over the last couple of months, hotels and restaurants are facing a catastrophic situation with revenues plunging drastically, FHRAI said. AKT RVK

Coronavirus: FHRAI asks members to follow govt guidelines rigorously

New Delhi, Jun 9 () Apex industry body FHRAI on Tuesday said it has issued a guidebook listing all measures to be taken by hotels and restaurants to ensure prevention of COVID-19. The comprehensive guidebook covers all functions of hotels and restaurants that are essential to everyday operations. From guest rooms and room service to housekeeping to laundry care, the manual provides step-by-step instructions on best practices, FHRAI said in a statement. The 44-page manual has detailed instructions on training of staff on food handling, deliveries &amp; takeaways, food transportation and distribution, it added. "The manual is an exclusive guidebook for the hotel and restaurant industry and has been designed in association with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)," FHRAI Vice President Gurbaxish Singh Kohli said. Everyday activities will be required to be put under a microscope since safety of guests is paramount, he added. Federation of Hotel &amp; Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has been holding food safety and training certification (FoSTaC) training programmes designed by the FSSAI and has trained more than 2,000 people under it, the industry body said. AKT BAL

FHRAI issues guidebook for hotels, restaurants to prevent COVID-19 spread

New Delhi, May 7 () Industry body Federation of Hotel &amp; Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) on Thursday said it has initiated a training programme on COVID-19 preparedness in collaboration with food safety regulator FSSAI for hospitality professionals across the country.The programme aims to gear up hotel and restaurant players for a post-lockdown scenario to ensure the safety of their guests and to instill customer confidence, FHRAI said in a statement. It covers training on precautions to be taken and procedures that establishments should ensure implementing including receiving of raw materials, guest service, lobby management, and room maintenance post the lockdown, it added."The idea behind initiating this training programme is to have at least one senior staff thoroughly trained in safety, security and hygiene of an establishment. Once the lockdown is lifted, the trained staff will be in a position to impart knowledge to fellow staff in each section," FHRAI Vice President Gurbaxish Singh Kohli said.The underlying objective of this programme is to ensure the health and safety of the guests. FHRAI is organising these sessions to instill confidence in its members, guests, and the work force to prepare ourselves to tackle the post pandemic situation, he added.Government, with the help of experts has come out with guidelines broadly for the food industry and stays.The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued guidelines for various food sectors including catering, the statement said. In partnership with its training partner Parikshan, FHRAI has scheduled a series of sessions in order reach its regional associations and through them, to thousands of its members, FHRAI Joint Honorary Secretary Pradeep Shetty said. AKT RUJRUJ

FHRAI initiates training programme on COVID-19 preparedness for hospitality professionals

New Delhi, April 14 () The Federation of Hotel &amp; Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has extended its support to the lockdown extension saying while the first priority has to be controlling the spread of COVID-19, it would impact the revival of the industry."We support the Hon'ble PM's decision to extend the lockdown until May 3 and stand by it as we understand that, the country's first priority is containing the spread of the virus any further," FHRAI Vice President Gurbaxish Singh Kohli said in a statement.Simultaneously it must kept in mind that with every necessary extension, reviving the industry will get that much more difficult, especially without any announcements for specific relief, he added. The Indian hospitality and tourism industry is staring at a potential job loss of around 38 million, which is 70 per cent of the total workforce, due to COVID-19, Singh said. The hospitality industry has been the worst hit and a lot of damage is already done, businesses have come to a standstill and revenues have already hit rock bottom, he added. "Now only timely government intervention can give us a new lease of life. I would reiterate that as an industry, our hotels and restaurants are at the helm, assisting the authorities with the required rooms for doctors and healthcare workers and food for various sections so that no one goes unfed," Singh said. Without government intervention, the industry may well be heading towards a collapse which will be extremely difficult to revive, he added. AKT RUJ

Support extended lockdown, industry might collapse without govt help: FHRAI

The Federation of <keyword id="4716161" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="hotels-restaurants">Hotels &amp; Restaurants</keyword> Association of India (<keyword id="974036" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="FHRAI">FHRAI</keyword>), India’s apex body for <keyword id="6368036" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hotels">Hotels</keyword> &amp; Restaurants has government’s GST rollout this morning. It had earlier appealed to the government to reduce the GST percentage on Restaurants to 18%, from its earlier rate of 28% in Star-hotels, thereby bringing it at par with stand-alone restaurants. This has come in the aftermath after presentation put forward by FHRAI, for the Government to relook at the present proposal as they had advocated a uniform Hospitality GST at 12% across the country. Commenting on the development, <keyword id="4716159" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="garish-oberoi">Garish Oberoi</keyword>, vice president FHRAI said, “We are happy that the government has continued to exempt hotels under Rs 1000, and hotels charging upto Rs. 2500, which will impact a majority of the hotels in the country. There are certain states where GST will increase the tariffs, which would include UP. UP was earlier in the tax bracket of 14 % (5% &amp; 9% luxury) and this would increase the taxes for Hotels charging between Rs. 2500 - Rs 7500 and take it to 18% from 14%. For hotels charging above Rs 7500 the tax slab will further rise from 14% to 28%, which is very high. We would again request the government to keep the slab at 10,000 for 28% tax. “ “For the restaurants, the step is a welcome one since the government has come with a composite scene for small restaurants Upto a turnover of 75 lakhs under a composite scheme of 5 percent GST, which is a welcome step.” “The only thing left is for the final update from the ministry for the compliance of these regulations, “he added.

FHRAI wants 28% GST to be levied on hotel slabs above Rs 10,000, instead of Rs 7,500

<ul><li>Removal of <keyword id="628642" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="service-charge" source="Orion">service charge</keyword> by default will affect the incomes of servers, waiters, kitchen staff and cleaners.</li><li>The national average salary of a waiter is ₹16,400 per month in India, according to jobs review platform Glassdoor.</li><li>Depending on the grade of the employee, servers make anything between ₹5,000-₹20,000 from these service charges and tips, says Pradeep Shetty, a senior executive in hotel and restaurant associations of India.</li></ul>The Indian government’s decision to throw service charges at restaurants out of the window will make restaurant bills lighter. However, it is not good news for the employees of an industry who subsist on tips to make up for their low incomes. Servers, waiters, kitchen staff and cleaners will be directly impacted by the decision to not pay a 10% service charge. “Service charge is a charge collected for the benefit of the staff which includes everyone from the waiters to the personnel working in the kitchen who have served a consumer directly and indirectly,” Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, vice-president of Federation of Hotel &amp; Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), said. A service charge is an amount that is added to your bill in a restaurant to pay for the work of the person who comes and serves. A smaller percentage — 30% — of this amount can also be deducted in case of any breakages by the servers at the restaurants and hotels. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Average salary of a waiter is ₹16,400 per month" comment="subhead" text="Average salary of a waiter is ₹16,400 per month">Average salary of a waiter is ₹16,400 per month</cmsannotation> According to jobs review platform Glassdoor, the national average salary of a waiter is ₹16,400 per month in India. The salary estimates are based on 73 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by waiter employees. Data from other publications like <a href="https://www.jobted.in/salary/waiter">Jobted</a>, <a href="https://in.talent.com/salary?job=waiter">Talent</a>, and <a href="https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/hotel-waiter-waitress/india/bangalore">Salary Expert</a> is also in the similar range, if not lower. <div type="image" title="Remember to tip your waiter, there is no more service charge on your bill" msid="92668820" hostid="261"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Tips are an essential part of their salaries" comment="subhead" text="Tips are an essential part of their salaries">Tips are an essential part of their salaries</cmsannotation> “Depending on the grade of the employee, they make anything from ₹5,000-₹20,000 from these service charges and tips. It’s over and above their salary,” Pradeep Shetty, Joint Honorary Secretary at FHRAI and senior vice president at Hotel &amp; Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), told Business Insider India. In other countries — like the USA, UK, Canada and more — the restaurant staff works on a minimum wage but tips make a sizeable chunk of their take-home salary. Now that the service charge is out of the picture, it is going to reduce the take home income for the people working at the ground level of the hospitality industry. The only thing that would bring some relief to the people working in the industry is if the customers choose to pay the 10% service charge or build a habit of tipping, like it is in most Western countries. SEE ALSO <a class="tout-title-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/tata-motors-kotak-mahindra-bank-indusind-bank-among-stocks-to-watch-out-for-on-july-5/slidelist/92665853.cms">Tata Motors, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IndusInd Bank among stocks to watch out for on July 5</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indianoil-delivers-cooing-gas-via-boats-in-flood-hit-assam/articleshow/92667303.cms">IndianOil delivers cooking gas via boats in flood-hit Assam</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/eknath-shinde-wants-a-breather-and-spend-time-with-families/articleshow/92666818.cms">Eknath Shinde wants a 'breather' and spend time with families</a>

Remember to tip your waiter, there is no more service charge on your bill

Mumbai, May 16 () Hotel and restaurant players on Saturday urged the government for giving relaxation for the sector during 'lockdown 4.0', at least in green and orange zones, that will help mitigate hardships faced by the industry.The apex hospitality association has proposed that hotels and restaurants in green zones be allowed to operate at 100 per cent and in orange zones at 50 per cent capacities, the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) said in a statement."Even today, containing the spread of the virus remains the country's priority. But we also have to take into account that the hospitality and tourism industry employs over 4.3 crore people. They are relying for their survival. Every lockdown extension is making it difficult for us to keep people employed and to sustain. "Since the government is relaxing operations for several industries to keep the wheels of economy moving, we are hoping that it allows our industry some relaxation too," FHRAI Vice-President Gurbaxish Singh Kohli said.Due to the lockdown to curb COVID-19 pandemic, the industry is staring at a potential job loss of around 3.8 crore, which is 70 per cent of the total workforce."According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), as many as 7.5 crore travel and tourism jobs are at risk worldwide, one in eight of them are in India. We hope to resume operations and adhere to all the safety measures and follow the compliances strictly. We stand united with the government for eradicating the virus and together we will show the way to the world in achieving this," Kohli added. SM MR

Hotel, restaurant players seek relaxations in lockdown 4.0

<ul><li>The new guidelines by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India state that restaurants will have to mention the calorific values on menu cards, boards or booklets. </li><li>Food aggregators like Zomato or Swiggy too have to comply with these new rules.</li><li>However, restaurant owners feel that this move is “uncalled for,” especially since it comes at a time when they are already struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.</li><li>While they are being introduced in India for the first time, similar laws already exist in countries like the US and the UK. </li></ul>Fast-food chains like McDonald’s, KFC, <keyword id="33542" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Burger-King">Burger King</keyword> have already been forced to follow “calorie labelling” in several countries, including the US, and now they might have to add the numbers on their menus in India as well. The new guidelines issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (<keyword id="154680" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="FSSAI">FSSAI</keyword>) state that restaurants or cafes with a central license or with more than ten outlets will have to mention the calorific values on menu cards, boards, or booklets. “Additionally, reference information on calorie requirements shall also be displayed clearly and prominently as an average active adult requires 2,000 kcal energy per day, however, calorie needs may vary”, said the guidelines. While players like Rebel Foods, the cloud kitchen company which operates chains like Faasos, Behrouz Biryani has always sworn by quoting the calorific value and defining the contents of the food served, as a customer-first approach, many other restaurant chains like Mamagoto, Chaayos, Wow Momos among others could soon have to deal with the calorie fight. And food aggregators like Zomato or Swiggy aren’t spared from the same as the new guidelines for labelling apply to e-commerce food business operators as well as the packaged food industry. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Arguments in favour of calorie labelling </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Arguments against the calorie labelling </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Customers can make a more informed decision – they want to know what they are consuming. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Customer consumption patterns won’t change – "a butter chicken will still be preferred over a salad". </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">India won’t go the Western way – will keep a check on obesity. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Marketing costs like new menus will be a burden for the already battered industry. </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Food service establishments will develop cautious brand building practices across the board, guaranteeing quality output. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Standardization is not possible with Indian food, where chefs still have their own andaaz (style) </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"> </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Restaurants fear harassment in the name of regulatory monitoring. </td></tr></tbody></table> Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President of the Federation of Hotels and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) says labelling the <keyword id="31991" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="calorie-count">calorie count</keyword> on menu cards might not directly impact restaurants, but it’s uncalled for. “What is the mindset behind this? Will people come, read the calorie count and then leave the restaurant? Or instead of butter chicken they are going to order a salad?,” Kohli told Business Insider. The FHRAI has already written to the FSSAI, giving its inputs regarding the new guidelines. While Kohli said that he doesn’t disagree with the norms, it shouldn’t come as a mandate. “If the FSSAI wants to do this, it should be voluntary. In a period where we are already hit so badly, putting up these new norms… I would call it irrelevant,” said Kohli. Pradeep Shetty, the Sr Vice President of The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India said, “The intention of the FSSAI is noble, they want to bring down the trans fat. They don’t want India to go the way many western countries have. They aren’t prohibiting people from eating, but just to make an informed decision.” The standardization could still work for restaurants with a limited standard menu across the country – chains like McDonald’s, KFC, Dominos, among others. But it’s not going to be the same story for the very ‘Indian’ restaurants. Restaurants in India don’t have just one problem with the new labelling guidelines – in fact, the issues are going to be multifold. Kohli explained that having the new labelling guidelines means printed new menu cards leading to new marketing expenses, which are uncalled for. Moreover, the food at Indian restaurants is more often than not customised, which means customers have demands like “extra butter” or “make it with olive oil”. “That addition or deletion of butter makes all the difference in the calorific value. What we fear is more harassment for a sector that is already harassed,” he said. Counting the calories: The new global norm? Placing the calorie count on menu cards isn’t just a norm being introduced in India. It is already enforced in countries like the US and the UK as a measure to control obesity, albeit questionably. In fact, in the US a law was passed in 2018 that stated that any restaurant with 20 or more outlets will have to state the calorie count of its food items. Researchers at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University and Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/the-us-law-requiring-calorie-counts-on-menus-is-expected-to-save-tens-of-thousands-of-lives-and-over-10-billion-in-healthcare-costs-research-shows/articleshow/76324413.cms">conducted a study</a> that showed that such a move would produce $10-14 billion in healthcare cost savings and another $3-5 billion in societal cost savings. In India too, many brands have been following the standard of adding calorie count on menus even before it was a norm. “The customer today wants to know what they are consuming, how safe it is, where the produce came from, and so forth. To help with all these, it becomes essential for brands to help consumers with the required information, to keep their faith in the food they consume, and thereby, the brand. This will also develop cautious brand building practices across the board, guaranteeing quality output,” said Sagar Kochhar, Co-founder, Rebel Foods. While the policy has a long way to go, it poses another problem as well – how will the government keep a check on restaurants across the country. “That also means that restaurants will have to hire an expert to keep a check or define the calorie count, which is another added expense,” said Shetty. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/supercomputer-shows-tropical-cyclones-hitting-india-are-going-get-more-destructive-that-is-until-the-flooding-starts/articleshow/79764803.cms">Supercomputer shows tropical cyclones hitting India are going get more destructive — that is until the flooding starts</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/burger-king-ipo-investors-tripled-their-money-in-three-days/articleshow/79761366.cms">Burger King's IPO investors tripled their money in three days</a>

India has a hot new debate on its plate: Should the likes of Burger King, KFC and McDonald’s menus mention calories?

New Delhi, Jun 17 () Requisitioning of hotels for hospitalisation of COVID-19 positive patients and as an extension of designated hospitals by the Delhi government has caused deep consternation and has come as a major blow to the sector, according to the hospitality industry. The latest trigger for concerns arose as Delhi government authorities on Tuesday issued an order asking Indian Hotels Company Ltd's (IHCL) iconic Taj Mahal hotel at Mansingh Road to have its rooms and premises be placed at the disposal of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) for using it as an attached COVID-19 facility. The Delhi government had earlier passed orders requisitioning other hotels for use as COVID-19 care units. Apex industry body Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) on Tuesday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising concerns regarding the orders by the state government for requisitioning of hotels for attaching them to hospitals and converting them into extended COVID-19 hospitals for patients. It said the infrastructure of hotels is not equipped to provide the specialized and critical care environment required by COVID-19 positive patients and hotel staff is neither skilled nor trained as healthcare professionals. The letter also mentioned that the hotels which are overtaken as an extension of COVID-19 hospital will face a significant economic and business impact. "We are quite surprised and wonder why government owned hotels like Ashoka, Samrat and Centaur are not yet requisitioned, whereas they should have been the first to been taken over, rather than making a beeline for privately owned hotels, given the number of issues involved with doing so," FHRAI Vice President Gurbaxish Singh Kohli said in the letter to the prime minister. Highlighting that government-owned large facilities such as Vigyan Bhavan would have been a better choice for requisitioning into hospital, the letter said that the state must requisition nursing homes, medical facilities and other hospitals, polyclinics, among others, with beds before requisitioning hotels. "There is no mention of responsibility by the concerned dept/government of any liability or eventuality subsequent to the requisitioning," it added. The letter also said that there was no specific time period mentioned in which the compensation is to be received by the hotels. This will cause a huge delay in settlement of bills and push the industry into further problems. On its part, IHCL in a statement said that while it would continue to cooperate with governments in their efforts during these times, its Taj Mahal hotel is in the midst of a renovation and is uninhabitable, especially for patients and doctors. "IHCL has been at the forefront of helping fight this pandemic. The company has extended all support to various states across the country including hosting doctors, medical fraternity and providing over 2 million meals till date. A number of our hotels are being used for quarantine facilities," a IHCL spokesperson said in a statement. In the case of Taj Mahal Delhi, the hotel is in the midst of a major renovation, which commenced much before lockdown started, and is uninhabitable, the spokesperson added "We will continue to cooperate with the government in their efforts during these challenging times," the statement said. Industry body CII's National Committee on Tourism &amp; Hospitality had earlier said that the notification requisitioning hotels for purpose of hospitalisation of COVID-19 patients and as an extension of designated hospitals has caused deep consternation within the industry and has come as a major blow to the hospitality industry that is already reeling under the pressure of revenue and job losses. On Tuesday's development, CII National Committee on Tourism &amp; Hospitality Advisor Dipak Haksar said, "We are at a loss to understand how a hotel under renovation with rooms that are not habitable including access to public areas will be used by patients and doctors". The criteria to attach a hotel that is undergoing renovation is baffling to say the least, he added. On Delhi High Court's order for hotels to operate as COVID-19 care units, CII said that while it respects the court's decision, it believes that conversion of hotels is not the best solution. Converting large spaces like stadiums as temporary hospitals/COVID facilities with pooled resources is the best solution to handle this, it added. "There are also concerns about the criteria for selecting some of these hotels which are quite far from the hospitals. A clear distinction must be made of hotels that are within 3-5 km radius, such hotels may be considered to be extensions for hospitals, but others at greater distances can be declared as best as quarantine facilities," Haksar said. The state government should also consider giving relief to the hospitality sector at this juncture by measures such as reducing electricity tariffs, deferring statutory dues and auto renewal of licenses including excise for the year, he added. The CII's Committee on Tourism and Hospitality also said that GST on hotel rooms needs to be waived off for hotels notified as extended hospitals, as rooms are occupied by patients for health care. It also pointed out that the tariff fixed for rooms, at Rs 5,000 including all meals and applicable taxes, is very low and shall result in additional losses. AKT RVK

Hospitality industry raises concerns over requisitioning of hotels as COVID-19 facilities 

In an uncharacteristic response from an industry body which tend to be mellow in their take on government policies, the Federation of Associations in the Indian Tourism &amp; Hospitality (<keyword id="6389686" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="faith">FAITH</keyword>), said on Sunday that the Indian tourism industry has "gone into a state of disbelief and shock". This is the policy federation of all the national associations representing the complete tourism, travel and hospitality industry of India. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75790707" title="Lockdown 4.0 ⁠— India issues new guidelines allowing states to decide the red, green, and orange zones" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> "The industry has gone numb from a lack of any umbrella direction from the government or without any fiscal &amp; monetary support," it said. The industry body said, "Indian Tourism industry goes into a state of shock and disbelief as there were no announcements to support tourism, 10 weeks of constant discussions come to a naught and industry has gone directionless". With no visibility of cash inflows the Indian tourism industry is now looking at large scale bankruptcies, business closures which will lead to job losses across cities, towns and hinterlands of India. This has the potential to set back the Indian tourism, travel and hospitality industry by many years, it said. The body said that the Indian tourism industry was looking forward to deep set of survival measures for tourism from the Rs 20 lakhs crore package announced over 5 days, which however were not addressed. The Indian tourism, travel and hospitality sector impacts almost 10 per cent of GDP through its direct and indirect impact. It has already seen over one quarter of accumulated losses which began from February onwards. There is no cash inflow expected for many quarters over FY20-21 as the key segments of the Indian tourism economy will be down. The international inbound tourists, inbound and VFR - (visiting friends and relatives) and the outbound travel will remain mostly non-performing due to international flight restrictions and tragic impact in most key markets tourism markets of India, the association said. "Domestic travel and corporate travel within the country may slightly ease up post lockdown but will be highly restricted due to fear of travel among elders and children, the new social distancing norms, corporate travel freeze and the closure of the holiday season which will impacting all leisure, adventure, heritage, spiritual, cruise and niche tourism segments," it said. The meetings incentives exhibitions &amp; events segment will be severely impacted due to the meeting size restrictions. Consequently all tourism service providers, the hotels, travel agents, tour operators tourist transporters, restaurants, guides will be compromised and the tourism industry of India will be operating with extreme under capacities making most tourism businesses unviable on a cash operating basis. To prevent this and to ensure survival, FAITH had proposed a dedicated interest and collateral free long term fund for paying salaries and operating costs and for a minimum of 12 months of complete waiver of fixed central &amp; state statutory and banking liabilities without any penal or compounding interest which have not been addressed. The proposed MSME fund with its many underlying restrictions may have a very limited usage. FAITH &amp; its ten member associations (ADTOI, ATOAI, FHRAI, HAI, IATO, ICPB, IHHA, ITTA, TAAI, TAFI) had been constantly dialoguing with all factions of the government over the past 10 weeks the PMO, ministries of Finance, Commerce , Aviation, and Tourism, with RBI, with all 28 Chief Ministers, Niti Aayog and with the Empowered Group 6. Indian tourism travel and hospitality impacts 10-12 per cent of India's employment which covers almost 5 crore plus direct and indirect jobs. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/indian-firms-can-now-directly-list-in-foreign-markets-there-are-a-few-more-big-changes-to-companies-act/articleshow/75785648.cms">Indian firms can now directly list in foreign markets – there are a few more big changes to Companies Act</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/policy/news/india-will-merge-some-government-companies-and-privatise-some-cpse/articleshow/75785709.cms">India will reduce the number of central government companies⁠— some of them will get bigger and some will be sold to private players</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/india-puts-a-pause-on-new-bankruptcy-cases-for-a-year-and-other-changes-that-will-cap-the-rise-in-bad-loans/articleshow/75785508.cms">India puts a pause on new bankruptcy cases for a year ⁠— and other changes that will cap the rise in bad loans</a>

'Indian tourism industry is in a state of shock and disbelief'

The <keyword id="6354977" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Supreme-Court">Supreme Court</keyword> might modify its order on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Good-karma-or-bad-Man-behind-liquor-ban-cant-find-liquor-nearby/articleshow/57985331.cms">ban on sale of liquor</a> within 500 meters of national and state highways in the second week of July. Hotels and clubs, which were forced to stop serving alcohol following the order, had sought changes in the order. Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/FHRAI-To-Seek-Legal-Redressal-regarding-Liquor-Ban-on-Highways/articleshow/58179341.cms">FHRAI To Seek Legal Redressal regarding Liquor Ban on Highways</a> In its order, SC had already exempted Sikkim and Meghalaya states from the ban, keeping in mind their topography and terrain. "Our request is not to dilute the judgment of the SC <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Liquor-ban-would-dent-state-governments-estimated-revenue-by-Rs-50000-crore/articleshow/57985674.cms">banning liquor</a> sale on the highways at all. This application is to draw attention to the plight of 93 hotels in Tamil Nadu which have invested Rs 6,133 crore and employ about 9,450 people directly and 94,500 indirectly to promote tourism," said the statement from South India Hotels and Restaurants Association. Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Good-karma-or-bad-Man-behind-liquor-ban-cant-find-liquor-nearby/articleshow/57985331.cms">Good karma or bad? Man behind liquor ban can’t find liquor nearby</a>"Due to flaws in the system followed by state governments in notifying highways, the SC's judgement to ban liqour has brought down with it certain <a href="http://www1.m.businessinsider.in/still-sad-about-liquor-ban-at-cyber-hub-indigo-delis-bbqpork-ribs-and-lemon-butter-calamari-will-make-you-forget-that/articleshow/57311109.cms">unintended victims</a>," it added.(Image source New Indian Express)

You Searched For "fhrai" and got 12 results

FHRAI seeks stimulus for hospitality sector

PTI

Coronavirus: FHRAI asks members to follow govt guidelines rigorously

PTI

FHRAI issues guidebook for hotels, restaurants to prevent COVID-19 spread

PTI

FHRAI initiates training programme on COVID-19 preparedness for hospitality professionals

PTI

Support extended lockdown, industry might collapse without govt help: FHRAI

PTI

FHRAI wants 28% GST to be levied on hotel slabs above Rs 10,000, instead of Rs 7,500

BI India Bureau

Remember to tip your waiter, there is no more service charge on your bill

Kritti Bhalla

Hotel, restaurant players seek relaxations in lockdown 4.0

PTI

India has a hot new debate on its plate: Should the likes of Burger King, KFC and McDonald’s menus mention calories?

Sanchita Dash

Hospitality industry raises concerns over requisitioning of hotels as COVID-19 facilities

PTI

'Indian tourism industry is in a state of shock and disbelief'

IANS

Supreme Court’s order on liquor ban near highways could be modified

BI India Bureau

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