Hotel owners seek timing extension for New Year celebrations

Hotel and restaurant owners have sought extension of timings for serving patrons during the Christmas and New Year celebrations as they deal with adverse impact of the demonetisation drive.
"Hotels have started gearing up for celebrations to try and make the best of what is left of the year. However, the industry is still awaiting permissions from police for the extension of relaxation of timings for celebrations," Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) President Dilip Datwani said in a statement.
Due to demonetisation, the business of hoteliers has been dull for over a month and therefore the extension of deadlines will help boost their businesses, he said.

"It has been a dull couple of months not just for hoteliers, but for everyone in the city. In this scenario if the permissions are not in place we may not be able to maximise the opportunity. We are now appealing to the authorities to give early permissions for New Year eve celebrations," he said.
The association has written to the Mumbai Police Commissioner to provide an early permission so that the hoteliers can make the best arrangements and guests are able to enjoy a great evening.
"With the demonetisation effects still lingering, there is uncertainty about how things will pan out. At the same time, the industry is also hopeful because this is the one time of the year that hotels and restaurants get to capitalise on the celebrations," Datwani added.