From shrinking occupancy to losing loyal customers, budget hotels in north Delhi's Karol Bagh have been severely hit after the new safety norms kicked in banning kitchens on the premises, the hotel managers say.
Officially designated as guest houses, a number of these economy hotels in the vicinity of the famous Karol Bagh Market were shut after a massive fire in February at the the five-storeyed Hotel Arpit Palace in the area killed 17 people.
For Swati Hotel, which is adjacent to Hotel Arpit Palace on Gurudwara Road, it's not business as usual.
"We reopened about two months ago. But kitchen is not allowed on hotel premises. So our guests, who are used to order food through room service, are now looking out for restaurants. This has really affected our business," said an employee on the condition of anonymity.
Pointing to a nearby restaurant, he said, "Most of our guests dine there now, it's a big loss for us."
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content