Himachal government announces interest subvention on working capital loan for hospitality sector

To provide relief to the COVID-19 affected the tourism sector, the state government has introduced a scheme for interest subvention on working capital loans for the hospitality sector.

The eligibility criteria as well as the magnitude of financing being provided will be based on the unit’s GST payment history.

If the registered tourism unit has paid an average GST up to Rs 1 crore per year, the unit will be entitled to a working capital loan of Rs 50 lakh. 

"Eat out to help out" - Britain aids hospitality sector with voucher scheme

Britain’s government will hand out vouchers worth 500 million pounds ($625 million) to the public to boost spending at restaurants, cafes, and pubs that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 lockdown. For the month of August, everyone in the country will be given an “Eat Out to Help Out discount” voucher.

Britain’s foodservice industry, which employed 1.8 million people before the crisis, has suffered thousands of job cuts, with layoffs announced by firms including the owner of the Upper Crust and Caffe Ritazza chains and Pret A Manger.

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in.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-britain-vouchers/eat-out-to-help-out-britain-aids-hospitality-sector-with-voucher-scheme-idINL8N2EF2KF

Distressed deals in hospitality biz on the rise

Owners of hotels and resorts are dialling real estate consultants in desperate efforts to sell their properties amid the demand destruction in the tourism and hospitality industry from the coronavirus pandemic.

These properties, which have gone on sale in the past two months, are valued between ₹50 crores and ₹500 crores each and include some of the top domestic and international hospitality brands.

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www.livemint.com/companies/news/distressed-deals-in-hospitality-biz-on-the-rise-11594254376840.html

Frasers Hospitality reopens properties with new cleaning measures

Frasers Hospitality is reopening its properties with new health and safety initiatives in place in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

Following the easing of restrictions in the UK, serviced residences in England reopened on July 4 and those in Scotland will open on July 15, with a phased reopening of boutique lifestyle hotels Malmaison and Hotel du Vin.

Fraser says it has introduced the following measures across its properties as part of its new #FraserCares initiative

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www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/07/08/frasers-hospitality-reopens-properties-with-new-cleaning-measures/

Chef Ananda Solomon: I believe if the food is good, the croowds will return

Chef Ananda Solomon, the force behind what was the city’s first authentic Thai Restaurant, announced the launch of his own property in February. Of course, your diarist had told you all about it in January.

Solomon used the past months to train his delivery team online and, at the end of June, he finally did return to the cooking station of his 4,000 sq ft property to offer deliveries across the city.

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mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/opinion/the-informer/chef-ananda-solomon-i-believe-if-the-food-is-good-the-crowds-will-return/articleshow/76867478.cms

Kolkata's five-star Swissotel shuts amid contract expiry

Hit by the Coronavirus-triggered economic crisis, five-star Swissotel in Kolkata temporarily shut operations amid the contract between its owner Ambuja Neotia Group and French hospitality chain Accor expiring. The contract expired on June 30 after ten years of operating the hotel.

Following the closure of operations, 250 employees of the hotel have been sent on furlough with subsistence allowance.

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hospitality.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/hotels/kolkatas-five-star-swissotel-shuts-amid-contract-expiry/76837001

We are seeing a lot of interest for our premium villas: Shridhar Nair

With Goa hotels opening their doors to customers and new bookings, there seems to be a glimmer of optimism in a corner of the industry in a state which has had a fantastic run when it comes to hospitality.

Amongst the many resorts in India luxury ones, The Leela Goa possibly the highest repeat guest ratio which runs into as high as 36 percent year round, touching 50 percent on some months.

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hospitality.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/hotels/we-are-seeing-a-lot-of-interest-for-our-premium-villas-shridhar-nair/76794058

Maharashtra allows hotels to resume operations at 33% capacity from July 8, smaller hotels likely to stay shut

The Maharashtra government, through an order allowed hotels and other accommodation providers to resume operations with restricted entry and at 33% capacity outside containment areas from July 8, but industry insiders said smaller, boutique hotels in the state are likely to stay shut given the limited number of rooms, new standard operating procedures (SOPs), and costs of doing business.

The order allows restaurants in hotels to operate for resident guests with social distancing norms

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economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/maharashtra-hotels-outside-containment-zones-can-operate-from-july-8/articleshow/76814682.cms?from=mdr

Miami rolls back restaurant dining as U.S. coronavirus deaths top 130,000

Florida’s greater Miami area became the latest U.S. Coronavirus hot spot to roll back its reopening, ordering restaurant dining closed as COVID-19 cases surged nationwide by the tens of thousands and the U.S. death toll topped 130,000 and according to latest update is raised to 1,33,000.

California, Texas and Florida are all among two dozen states reporting high infection rates as a percentage of diagnostic tests conducted over the past week.

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in.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa/miami-shuts-down-restaurant-dining-again-as-u-s-coronavirus-deaths-top-130000-idINKBN2471VX

Sarovar Hotels set to achieve milestone of 100 hotels by 2021

Sarovar Hotels and Resorts which started its journey 25 years ago, is on the verge of completing 100 hotels by 2021. With about 30 properties under development, the group aimed to achieve the target by the end of 2020. However, the disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak has pushed the milestone to 2021.

Sarovar Hotels operates in various segments, i’e, budget, mid-budget and luxury.Average Room Revenue  in every segment is equally hit where 20% to 40% of ARR is bleeding. Sarovar Hotels is also focusing on the international market. The hospitality major had strategically expanded into Africa.

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hospitality.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/hotels/sarovar-hotels-set-to-achieve-milestone-of-100-hotels-by-2021/76788910

Vietnam inaugurates gold-plated hotel after Coronavirus Lockdown

Vietnam has opened what is being deemed the world's first gold-plated hotel, in the hope to welcome tourists as the country opens after three months of Coronavirus-led Lockdown.

The hotel, owned by Hoa Binh Group and managed by US-based Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc.The cost of stay at the hotel is USD 250

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indianexpress.com/photos/lifestyle-gallery/vietnam-inaugurates-gold-plated-hotel-after-coronavirus-lockdown-see-pics-6489975/

Czechs bid "farewell" to COVID-19

While the world reels under the COVID-19 pandemic, the Czechs Republic organized a “symbolic farewell party”. thousand of Guests gathered on the Charles Bridge in Prague sharing food and drinks. Guests were entertained by local musicians as they sat at a 500-meter-long table. Czechs, with a population of 10 million, reported 12,319 COVID-19 infections and about 352 deaths.

Lite Bite Foods set to invest in cloud kitchens

According to Mint, food, and beverage retail company, Lite Bite Foods(LBF) that runs various casual and fine-dine restaurant formats has stepped up plans to open over 35 cloud kitchens in five cities.

The company will invest INR 25 crore in creating its cloud kitchen infrastructure under LBF Cloud Kitchens. The first kitchen is set to go live in August starting with Delhi. It will set up two formats—a hybrid kitchen format and QSR focused kitchens.

LBF will soon launch its own food app 'FOOGO' which will allow consumers to order food from across the company's food formats.

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www.hospitalitybizindia.com/detailNews.aspx?aid=38378&sid=1

Check in but never leave: Taiwan offers fake flights for travel-starved tourists

One Taiwanese airport has the solution - a fake itinerary where you check-in, go through passport control and security and even board the aircraft. Around 7,000 people applied to take part, the winners chosen by random. More fake flight experiences will take place in the coming week.

The passengers got boarding passes and proceeded through security and immigration before boarding an Airbus A330 of Taiwan’s largest carrier, China Airlines, where flight attendants chatted with them.

For More Information Click Below :

www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-taiwan-airport/check-in-but-never-leave-taiwan-offers-fake-flights-for-travel-starved-tourists-idUSKBN2430RV?utm_campaign=fullarticle&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=inshorts

Deutsche Hospitality Appoints Thomas Wilken

Thomas Wilken has been appointed General Manager of the 137-room MAXX by Steigenberger Sanssouci Potsdam with effect from 1 June 2020. He will be responsible for all operational and administrative business areas of the hotel.

He has gained valuable experience of his own during the past few years as a Director of Operations and Executive Assistant Manager. His employers have included the Marriott and Kempinski Hotel Groups. He  is a passionate hotelier who brings extensive industry knowledge and a lot of experience in the upscale hospitality industry

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ftnnews.com/news-home/appointments/world/39599-deutsche-hospitality-appoints-thomas-wilken

Delhi: No longer up in the air, dining in open space to be reality

Taking a cue from European Countries, South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SMDC) is planning to allow open-air restaurants in the areas falling under its jurisdiction.

They will also be allowed to play light music, though seating diners on the pavements as done abroad will not be permitted.

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timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/no-longer-up-in-the-air-dining-in-open-space-to-be-reality/articleshow/76719462.cms

Marriott to expand, continue food delivery biz even after COVID-19

Leading hotel chain Marriott International, which has seen its business plunge over 90 percent across its 123 properties since the lockdown, will expand and continue it’s delivery and takeaway business even after the pandemic-induced lockdown and social distancing end, as it does not see normalcy turtling back anytime soon.

As the lockdown was extended four times, the hotel explored newer options and landed upon the idea of home delivery of food under a new vertical ''Marriott on Wheels'' and soon it roped in food delivery chains Zomato and Swiggy and is keen to continue and expand this model in the long term.

On May 13, Marriott, in a novel initiative, tied up with food delivery firm Swiggy as part of expanding the Marriott on Wheels delivery service, offering over 20 hotels.

For More Information Click Below :

www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/marriott-to-expand-continue-food-delivery-biz-even-after-covid19/1879808

NDMC hikes health fee, traders feel the pinch

Opening a restaurant or running a hotel or a showroom in Lutyens’ is going to cost more as New Delhi Municipal Council has increased the yearly health trade licensing fee and penalty from 2% to 5%.

The license fees for various trades have been revised by the council’s resolution. Late fees will be charged in cases where the renewal application is received after April 30.

If the application is received within a year from the date of expiry of the license, the fees would be an additional 5% per month, and after a year, the fees would be doubled and would be multiplied with the number of years.

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timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/ndmc-hikes-health-fee-traders-feel-the-pinch/articleshow/76699655.cms

City’s iconic eateries open their doors with safety measures in place

Be it the Garma garam New Lucky Restaurant ki chai, piping hot bhajiyas at Ashtodiya Bhajiya House, Gujarati thali at Chandravilas, or mouth-watering non-vegetarian delicacies at Moti Mahal, the eating out experience in Ahmedabad is incomplete without going to these iconic eateries.

After being closed for more than two months, these eateries are back in action again, but with all safety measures in place.

From face masks, hand gloves, and sanitizers to social distancing and thermal scanning, they have seamlessly adapted to the new normal.

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timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/citys-iconic-eateries-open-their-doors-with-safety-measures-in-place/articleshow/76707479.cms

Zomato 'Gold' becomes 'Pro' with nearly 50 per cent more restaurants

 Zomato has doubled down on its Gold subscription program amid the COVID-19 crisis as the food tech unicorn renamed the dining membership as Zomato Pro after signing up about 50 percent more restaurant partners.

All Zomato Gold members across 10 countries will automatically get upgraded to Zomato Pro starting 1 August 2020. Pro members will get access to exclusive delivery offers.

For More Information click below:

www.newindianexpress.com/business/2020/jun/30/zomato-gold-becomes-pro-with-nearly-50-per-cent-more-restaurants-2163408.html