Industry status sought for hospitality sector in Punjab

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 17

In line with Maharashtra, the hoteliers of Punjab have demanded ‘industry status’ for the hospitality sector. The industrialists have said that the ongoing pandemic has hit them very hard and while the transport sector and other businesses have been getting concessions from the government, they also deserve some relief.

The hoteliers feel that it will help them avail benefits like cheaper power and water bills, slashed property tax, relief in licence fee and simpler approvals process for hotel-related projects.

The Hotel Association of India (HAI) has also launched its Punjab chapter to assist in the much-needed resurgence. The association has nominated top hoteliers including Gautam Kapoor, owner of Radisson Hotel, Jalandhar, GS Virk, owner, Park Plaza, Zirakpur, Rajan Gill, owner, Radisson Blu Hotel, Amritsar and Park Inn by Radisson, Amritsar, Abhimanyu Lodha, general manager, The Oberoi Sukhvilas, Chandigarh, Sumeet Taneja, general manager, Taj Swarna, Amritsar, and Mohit Gurnani, general manager, Taj Chandigarh, to set off the Punjab chapter.

Discussing the idea behind its launch, Gautam Kapoor said, “We will focus on issues and challenges our industry is facing. More than 50 per cent of the hoteliers are on the verge of closure. Some big chains have also got sold off. This is the time we need stakeholders, greater collaborations and partnerships.”

He added, “We have urged the CM to help us sail through a revenue slump in the state. The high fixed charges of power, license fee, lease rentals, property taxes, etc have been very heavy, especially at a time when there is no business. The survival of the sector is under grave threat.”