How the hotel industry is stepping up to help during lockdown

India has entered the third phase of the lockdown period raising hopes that it will soon be over. But many will need support to navigate the pandemic for months. Among those who have truly risen to the occasion at this time of immense need is the hotel industry – whether by whipping up meals for daily wagers and health care workers or by extending a much-needed helping hand to the elderly and the differently-abled.

Packed meals

Their kitchens may be more accustomed to gourmet cooking but luxury hotel chains are meeting the need of the hour by distributing wholesome, nutritious meals to those who struggle to make ends meet. Among those on the frontlines of the initiative are The Oberoi hotels, Marriott Hotels, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), The Leela, ITC Hotels, Hyatt, Roseate Hotels & Resorts, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, THE Park Hotels and The LaLiT group.

The numbers they distribute with the help of NGOs are significant – for example, IHCL of the Tata group has distributed more than one million meals to stranded migrant workers and healthcare providers.

And as the lockdown grinds on, the hotels are scaling up their efforts. “We are doing our bit for society in this time of crisis by providing cooked food to 1000 underprivileged people everyday and hope to increase the number in next few days,” says Ankur Bhatia, Executive  Director, Roseate Hotels & Resorts.

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from
via Lonely Planet India