‘We need clarity’
Survival has been challenging as cash flow has come to a grinding halt since the third week of March, says Upendra Shanbhag, GM, Toshali Sands Ethnic Village Resort, Puri.
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Our business from both the rooms and Food & Beverage division has suffered very badly, as we can count the number of days that we have been functional as per the local authority’s directives, due to the pandemic. Survival has been challenging as fixed costs are constant and cash flow has come to a grinding halt since the third week of March this year.
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There has been too much hype and contrasting opinions are being circulated on social media platforms regarding the pandemic. There is no single organised and official source of information offering clarity or transparency on the issue. Hence, consumers have yet to regain their confidence on the health and safety concerns while planning to stay at hotels or simply venturing out for a meal, without being afraid of repercussions.
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We have ensured that our Front of the House staff facing guests undergo some sort of local and national safety inspection certification programmes like those being offered by FHRAI, as well as eminent agencies specialising in that domain. We are displaying small clips featuring all safety norms and processes being adhered to by us, and this is being shared with our potential clientele & database. On arrival, a Guest Relation Executive could in short explain to the guests the basic procedures followed by the organisation for prioritising guest safety and health. From the pick-up of the guests and checkin to the check-out and drop, all due mandatory COVID related norms are strictly being followed.
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We are in touch with local villagers within a radius of seven to eight kms in order to provide them with job opportunities, with a focus on those who have lost their jobs elsewhere due to the pandemic. We are also offering small time contracts in masonry / carpentry / electrical jobs and any such skill available amongst local community members to help their sustenance in these times, rather than giving away the same to larger wellknown contractors from cities or metropolitan areas.
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There has been a drastic decline in the business due to: • Absence of clarity from the local authorities on the exact dates of removal of lockdown / night /weekend curfew, due to an unstable pandemic situation, which ultimately results in the loss of faith of potential travellers / diners.
• Inability of the general public to reassure themselves that the danger period for avoiding travel is over, and they can venture out safely without any health related doubts, along with their families and friends.
• Not enough modes of transportation as the frequency
of trains or flights still remains erratic.
Our industry leaders and co-hoteliers should come together to sort out these bottlenecks with concerned authorities and ensure that the remedial measures will be published for the knowledge of the industry’s potential clientele. Such dissemination of pertinent information through various media and platforms will pave the way for returning to normalcy of operations.
Consumers have yet to regain their confidence on the health and safety concerns while planning to stay at hotels”