Odisha hospitality body seeks Indian govt intervention to save industry

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) has urged the Indian government for long term measures to save the hotel industry from sinking further, due to the pandemic.

In a letter to Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel, HRAO chairman JK Mohanty said although hotels have been allowed to run with 30% capacity, there is no occupancy as people are scared to travel by trains and flights.

The hoteliers said they have not yet received any relief either from the Centre or the State Government despite the repeated appeals explaining the miserable condition.     

Meanwhile, the Odisha Cultural Circle (OCC) has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce a national holiday on the occasion of Rath Yatra to enable people from across the country to congregate and seek the blessing of the almighty.

OCC chairman JK Mohanty said declaration of the holiday will boost the tourism industry as devotees from across the country can come to Puri to take part in the annual festival. “Steps should be taken for wide publicity of the festival across the globe,” he added.