Ministry of Tourism (MOT) extended the validity of project approvals and Classification/ Reclassification order of hotels and accommodation units to December, 31, 2020 in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The validity of the order will extend to motels, guesthouses, standalone restaurants, catering units, homestays and guest houses.
This comes after the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) had raised a request to the Ministry of Tourism earlier this month, requesting the extension of the validity of approval or classification certifications of hotels and other accommodation units from September 30, 2020 to March 31, 2021.
Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) – a Northern outfit of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India is an apex body which represents hotels, restaurants and associates of the ten North Indian States & Union Territories.
Being the voice of the hospitality industry & allied sectors, HRANI is assisting its members to create a conducive environment to tap the vast potential of the hospitality industry in Northern India.
The request came in view as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on the country’s economy. The hospitality sector is among the worst affected, as hotels and restaurants had to close during this pandemic, resulting in an unprecedented loss of revenue and jobs. Not only has hospitality been the most immediate and worst casualty of the outbreak, the sector will also take the longest to recover as never before has tourism and hospitality suffered at all levels – globally, regionally and nationally.
HRANI in its request had said that the hospitality sector has been facing a catastrophic situation due to lock down & shut down of operations since March 22, 2020. Majority of the hotels and restaurants in various states have still not started operations due to prolonged lockdown, night curfew including weekend’s lockdown. The establishments which have re-opened are also thinking of closing down due to low occupancy, lack of minimum business due to suspension of International flights, limited domestic flight operations, restriction on tourist movement and non-uniform quarantine rules.
Moreover, the accumulated losses of more than six months including time and cost involved in following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued by Govt of India and also reduced number of staff, it is becoming challenging for establishments to apply for the Approval/re-approval & Classification/re-classification of Hotels & Restaurants, it said.
