'Announce that India is safe'

Hotels want tourism dept to issue advisory to foreign tourists

The increasing number of swine flu cases in the country 63 people affected so far is putting the hospitality industry on the edge.

With WHO raising its concern over increase in virus activity during the monsoon, hotels fear that the swine flu epidemic will play spoilsport.

To make sure that they do not suffer any losses, top-notch hotels have decided to appeal to the tourism department to issue a travel advisory for foreign nationals saying that India is safe.
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"Post 26/11, the hotel industry had faced huge losses and the recent buzz of swine flu may affect us again," said S P Jain, president of Hotel and Restaurant Association-Western India, who will write to the tourism department.
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The five-star hotels have already reduced their Average Room Rentals by 30 per cent this season.

"We won't be able to reduce the rentals anymore," said Rishi Puri, group general manager of The Ramada Powai and The Residence Hotel and Convention Centre at Powai.
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Declaration form

The hotel is requesting guests to fill a declaration form stating details of the countries they have recently visited.

"When we ask them to fill the form, they enquire if any case of swine flu was reported in the hotel," said Puri who feels tourists tend to heed advisories.
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Added Pankaj Sampat, general manager of Taj President, Cuffe Parade, "Our staff has been briefed and we have doctors on call.

Though swine flu is in a very nascent stage in India, we never know when the situation could change. The advisory would be of great help."

But there are a few hoteliers like Anil Paranjpe, vice-president, operations, Vile Parle's Orchid Hotel, who feel advisories won't help. "There is nothing to worry, as we anyway expect less business in June," he said.

Cheaper rooms

Five-star hotels have reduced their Average Room Rentals (ARR). Last year, the hotels' ARR stood at Rs 7,000-Rs 10,000 per night. This year, they've been brought down to Rs 5,000-Rs 8,000 per night