Rishi Puri

Senior Vice President Operations & Developmen Lords Hotels and Resorts

“It’s a big boon for the country’s bleeding hospitality industry. The favourable decision by the government of India has made this summer season more manageable for the hospitality industry and this move will ensure a steady flow of inbound travellers to explore new destinations in India. We at Lords Hotels and Resorts hope and expect the occupancy levels of hotel rooms to increase by at least 30 per cent. Keeping with the demand of the times, Lords Hotels and Resorts now has new offerings in new destinations; namely Panchgani, Karjat, Bharuch and Zirakpur. Mr. Puri, further emphasised on the precautions to be taken for a safe travel, “But, all said and done, we at Lords believe that we still need to be cautious of our surroundings and it’s our own responsibility to stay safe and maintain the required protocol by keeping our mandatory masking during travel and keeping safe distance from each other; and enjoying the contactless service our hotels are offering”.

Neeraj Sharma

Vice Chairman – The Lexicon Group

The hospitality sector especially on the ‘Special Corporate’ segment is hugely reliant on Inbound International Travellers. Whilst the domestic travel can form the base for many hotels it is the international travel that drives the rate upwards and food and beverage revenue in the event spaces and private dining rooms.

This will resurrect inbound travel and tourism ahead of the summer months which will lend support to hotels in times which are normally considered slow. Q2 normally across the sectors sees softer budgets and the re-start of international travel will be like a booster shot across leisure and corporate travel segments having a positive impact on both overall occupancies and the rate.

In the last two years, the hospitality industry experienced its worst fiscal crisis since 2008 due to the pandemic induced restrictions and fear of travel and dine-out. For it to resurrect it constantly needs action incentives like the recent relaxation allowing the resumption of international flights at one hundred per cent capacity. The hospitality industry in the last 24 months has been resilient, innovative, supportive, and patient, waiting for the pandemic to subside and for the sunrise of travel. The phenomenal vaccination drive and curbing of the subsequent pandemic waves by the government has encouraged travellers to come into India on both work and leisure. The resumption of international flights will allow this, ensuring a steady flow of inbound travellers. As per me the occupancy levels should improve by at least 20 per cent across the industry and rate by 5% – 7% over the next 12 month.

India should see a reflection of the boost that was seen in Dubai when a similar relaxation was given. As per recent articles close to sixty airlines from across 40 odd countries have given approval to resume their flights. This will give the hospitality industry the necessary reboot. On a closing note, it is important for travellers, hotels, airlines, and all involved to exercise a note of caution. They need to ensure that travellers and guests follow all protocols and guidelines and not let their guard down. If we make this error and there is an additional wave – similar to what is happening in China and European countries… it will be the death nail to the industry that has stood its ground resiliently. Let us welcome this relaxation and move with a joy and with a smile shout out the words “Bon Voyage’.

Neelabh Chugh

General Manager , Renaissance Ahmedabad

This news comes to us at the hospitality industry as a good news after a really long time. With the reduced travel restrictions on international flights, there’s a new hope and opportunity amongst hotel businesses and this would lead to some sort of normalcy.

Given the removal of travel restrictions, we see the business travelers would be the first ones to get on the flights, with the pent up demand for projects. This is well timed for hotels, as the wedding season is wrapping up for a while and the domestic corporate travel is expected to gather pace. The removal of restrictions would catalyze the same. This would translate into a larger number of international visitors, who were hesitant due to the numerous restriction and quarantine rules.

The wave of the international travelers is expected to add to the growth story that India as a country is working tirelessly upon. The hotels would of course tend to gain business out of same.

We are optimistic that this is a great and much needed move by the Indian government and we welcome the abundant international opportunities and business travel that this move should kick off.

Digvijay Singh

Director of Sales & Marketing, Indore Marriott Hotel, Marriott International

Opening of international flight corridors just before the summer break will help drive both inbound and outbound travel and we expect jump in the hotel occupancy by 15-20% depending on the location. While this is a much needed move for the hospitality sector, the airline industry has to move cautiously on maintaining a fine balance between fares and demand so that all sectors related to hospitality can gain from the impetus.

Corporate, leisure, MICE, weddings business is anticipated to grown multiple folds in the coming months which was restricted till now.

Rahul Bajaj

Le Sutra Hospitality

Many restaurants that used foreign produce were impacted because the aircrafts and infrastructures were shut down, as well as prices of foreign products increased as there was a shortage in supply from all sources.Now that flights have reopened, tourism will pick up speed, and we’ll be able to buy better, cleaner, and cheaper products, and which also means prices won’t have to rise as much. Overall, it’s a blessing in disguise for the entire restaurant sector.