Hotels in a fix over New Year festivities

Hyderabad: If you are planning on having a big New Year bash to welcome 2022, then you might have to think again. While the ravaging pandemic in 2020 played a spoilsport and many missed the chances of ringing in 2021 with festivities and thought that they would surely compensate for it in 2022, Omicron has […]

Hyderabad: If you are planning on having a big New Year bash to welcome 2022, then you might have to think again. While the ravaging pandemic in 2020 played a spoilsport and many missed the chances of ringing in 2021 with festivities and thought that they would surely compensate for it in 2022, Omicron has dashed those hopes. On one hand, many hotels, pubs and restaurants are uncertain about how things will pan out in the next few days. On the other hand, the public is being cautious about visiting crowded places.

Hotels, pubs, and restaurants are in the wait-and-watch mode in terms of planning New Year festivities with many events being planned in a restricted manner. The usual pre-Covid scenes on the New Year eve that used to get livened up with big events, star participation and dance floors, are surely going to be missed this year-end too. Company-sponsored events wherein one can attend musical concerts or entertainment programmes are being organized with crowd restrictions while bars and pubs are also facing the heat in terms of restricted invitees.

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As the State announced directions in terms of public gatherings, many event organizers and pubs are looking at running at 50 per cent capacity. Similarly, restaurants and hotels are being cautious in terms of organizing any big event for New Years and are depending on regular walk-in customers.

“We are not sure as to what will happen in the next few days given the situation around Omicron is still developing. Already 50 per cent of the businesses in this industry have been impacted in last two years and now the new variant has put additional pressure. Many pubs and hotels are being cautious and are hoping that the situation does not turn bad in the next few days,” says Tummala Srinivas Sampath, MD, The Spicy Venue and co-chapter head, National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI).

Sampath who is also the joint secretary of Telangana State Hotels Association said that December 31 might have many businesses looking at subdued festivities this year as well. Even among the public, there is a silent fear about gathering in crowds and this might impact the New Year festivities as well.

“Some hotels are looking at keeping tables with physical distances and organize entertainment programmes so that the movement of patrons is less. Hotels that are strong on food are open for regular patrons to walk in. Public also should take responsibility while going out and maintain all the protocols,” says Pradeep Kumar Dutt, vice-president of hotels and restaurants associations of Telangana.

Also read: Omicron: Telangana govt bans rallies, public meetings till Jan 2, 2022

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