Hospitality industries hope for PMO's help against Supreme Court liquor ban
NEW DELHI: Hospitality industry bodies met tourism minister Mahesh Sharma on Monday to make their representations regarding the Supreme Court ban on sale of liquor within 500 metres of national and state highways.
In its representation to the tourism minister, which was seen by ET, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has asked the ministry to discuss the matter with the Prime Minister’s Office on its behalf.
FHRAI said that a blanket ban will have an adverse impact on the hospitality business and will result in a decline of foreign tourist arrivals into the country. A fair amount of room inventory is located on national or state highways and these hotels on a pan India basis contribute 6.3 per cent towards the GDP of the country which is likely to decline because of this decision, it said.
"We are shocked. We are hearing that the Maharashtra chief minister is working with the officials to arrive at a fool proof way to address the issue. We are waiting for the state government to take a decision on the matter. Hotels like Sahara Star, Westin and Orchid have been affected in Mumbai. Business in restaurants close to the highways has gone down by 20 per cent. There are 16,000 establishments closing throughout Maharashtra," said Dilip Datwani, president HRAWI.
HRAWI had previously estimated that over 35,000 restaurants and bars could face closure or downsizing in the western region alone.
About 35 restaurants in Gurgaon's Cyber Hub which houses many upscale restuarants and bars have been served notices to not serve liqour to guests.
Hotel chain Marriott stated that as a hotel company it will be compliant with the Supreme Court ruling and stop serving liquor in the hotels affected.
In its representation to the tourism minister, which was seen by ET, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has asked the ministry to discuss the matter with the Prime Minister’s Office on its behalf.
FHRAI said that a blanket ban will have an adverse impact on the hospitality business and will result in a decline of foreign tourist arrivals into the country. A fair amount of room inventory is located on national or state highways and these hotels on a pan India basis contribute 6.3 per cent towards the GDP of the country which is likely to decline because of this decision, it said.
"We are shocked. We are hearing that the Maharashtra chief minister is working with the officials to arrive at a fool proof way to address the issue. We are waiting for the state government to take a decision on the matter. Hotels like Sahara Star, Westin and Orchid have been affected in Mumbai. Business in restaurants close to the highways has gone down by 20 per cent. There are 16,000 establishments closing throughout Maharashtra," said Dilip Datwani, president HRAWI.
HRAWI had previously estimated that over 35,000 restaurants and bars could face closure or downsizing in the western region alone.
About 35 restaurants in Gurgaon's Cyber Hub which houses many upscale restuarants and bars have been served notices to not serve liqour to guests.
Hotel chain Marriott stated that as a hotel company it will be compliant with the Supreme Court ruling and stop serving liquor in the hotels affected.
