Hoteliers stare at a major loss as no New Year''s parties this year

Aurangabad, Dec 27:

A curfew has been imposed in the city and district from December 22 to January 5 from 11 pm to 6 am. This has dampened the New Year''s Eve celebration this year. As a result, the celebration will have to be done at home instead of hotels and restaurants. The government has also ordered the hotels and bars to close at 10.30 pm. This has severely affected the business, said Shivaji Mangate, president of the hotel association.

Parties and events are organised every year to bid farewell to the outgoing year and welcome the new year. Hotels, restaurants and resorts organise parties that witness gathering of large crowds of youths to celebrate New Year. The youthful frenzy lasts till dawn. But there is not going to be a New Year’s celebration against the backdrop of the Covid-19 this year. The hotels and restaurants in the city, meanwhile, have not planned any big parties considering the curfew. Mangate said, “The industry is already reeling under severe crisis and more than eighty per cent of the hotel industry is over. We need strong pro-active steps by the government to boost the hotel trade which currently has hit rock bottom. We had pinned our hopes on New Year''s Eve, but the imposition of night curfew had all our hopes come crashing down."

Hotels offer home deliveries

Citizens have decided to welcome the New Year at their homes or on farmhouse this year due to curfew. Considering the trend of people, hoteliers have also offered special offers and discounts on home delivery of food. Domestic caterers have also created a separate menu for December 31. A variety of menu has been lined up by hotels for customers for the new year. Starters, pulao, pavbhaji, pizza, different types of pastries, cakes, muffins will be in demand, said the hoteliers.