The Industry has witnessed a dismal response from travelers!

The industry body said having registered only 20 to 30% of the average pre-pandemic revenues across the country, the businesses are finding it more and more difficult to sustain with each passing day.

FHRAI said on behalf of the 'financially distressed' fraternity, it has asked the government to provide soft loans to hotel and restaurant players.

It added that financial support of this nature will help businesses cover for the required working capital which in turn will help them sustain.

FHRAI said the month of November marks the beginning of festivals and the holiday season for both domestic and international travelers. However, this year, the association said, the hospitality sector has nothing much to hope for with no international tourists, and domestic tourism is at an all-time low due to safety reasons and increased spread of the pandemic.

Also Read: FHRAI approaches to PM for hospitality-specific relief package to save the Industry!

“It is no secret that hospitality is one of the worst affected industries as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is natural that hotels and restaurants will take more time to recover as well. Our industry was the first to be locked and the last one to be reopened. So when we ask the government for support, it is because the government asked us to not conduct business for the longest duration. Hotels and restaurants are bound to face operational losses for quite some time since there are restrictions on operations coupled with low demand due to work from home culture, no foreign travel, low guest indulgence, among other limitations. We have been knocking on all doors and will continue to do so until we receive some relief,” said Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, vice president, FHRAI.

The Covid 19 pandemic has caused significant and far-reaching economic damage to the hospitality industry. FHRAI said zero business during the first seven months of lockdown, negative cash flows, threats of insolvency and millions of jobs losses have devastated the sector completely.

The association stated the hospitality establishments are struggling to restart or sustain their operations due to negative cash flows and hotel pre-booking numbers are 'very discouraging.'

“The government through a soft loan, with a low rate of interest can support the industry until it reaches the pre-pandemic business levels. It is necessitated all the more today because the industry is finding it difficult to mobilize loans. Financial institutions have marked the industry in negative list or put it under negative rating,” said DVS Soma Raju, honorary treasurer, FHRAI.

News Source: ET