Hotels in India get creative to generate revenue during lock-down

Strange times call for new measures. India’s hoteliers are trying new approaches. (Photo from Unsplash by Ashim D´Silva)

Hotels in India are tapping alternative revenue streams to generate income and stay in touch with guests even during the lock-down.

Like many other countries, India is under a nation-wide lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As this exceptional situation drags on, hotels and restaurants who have been hit hard are now finding new ways to generate revenue and stay afloat.

We take a look at what they are offering.

Online delivery becomes a viable option

As the coronavirus takes an ever-growing toll on hotels around India, properties around the country have started finding new ways to engage with the people who would be their guests in ‘normal’ times.

Many Accor, Hilton and Marriott hotels, for example, have started using apps such as Swiggy and Zomato to promote their in-house restaurants and reach housebound patrons.

This is working quite well for some: “We are getting close to 100 orders per day collectively for our properties, and we see this number further going up with the extension in lockdown,” said Vineet Verma, executive director at Brigade Hospitality.

Other creative ideas

Food isn’t the only thing hotels can offer stay-at-home guests. The Novotel Chennai OMR and the Sheraton Grand Bangalore, Whitefield, have started offering laundry services, for example.

“Business continuity in any form is a refreshing change at this time. Moreover, there are many variables which will decide the reviving plan of a whole industry,” said Zaid Sadiq, executive director, hospitality, Prestige Group.

“The primary being the extent of the citywide level of the outbreak. As our business outlook remains muted for the next couple of months owing to the current lockdown, this was one avenue that was unexplored.”