HRAWI CALLS ON ITS MEMBERS TO SUPPORT DRAUGHT HIT REGIONS IN MARATHWADA

‘No Food Wastage’ Resolution By Hotels On New Year’s Eve

Mumbai: In its on-going efforts to inch-up the status of tourism and hospitality both in terms of service quality and social responsibility, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has resolved a ‘No Food Wastage’ Policy for New Year’s celebrations. The association has requested all its members to maintain a protocol aimed at discouraging patrons from wasting food. Additionally, the association has appealed to its members to pledge whatever amounts they can from the day’s earning for the benefit of the draught hit areas in Marathwada. A letter to this effect has been circulated amongst hotels and restaurants across all its member states in the western region that includes Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Diu-Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

The resolution comes in the wake of the increasing number of farmer suicides and the association’s desire of expressing solidarity with the agricultural community of which the hotel industry is a direct beneficiary.

“The New Year season has traditionally been a season of festivities and revelry. But it is also a season of charity, good will and compassion. As hoteliers, while we will ensure that the patrons make merry to their fullest, we will also imbibe the spirit of compassion and charity to their merriment,” says Mr. Bharat Malkani, President, HRAWI & Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI).

Among the precautionary steps that the association has identified to curb food wastage, hoteliers have been requested to highlight the No Food Wastage message in all their New Year Eve offers, place placards at all buffet counters and other appropriate places in their respective premises.

“Farmers are succumbing to nature’s will and starvation in our country. We are keen to help them in whatever way we can. We have proposed to our members to pledge a part of their day’s collection to the draught hit in the Marathwada region,” concludes Mr. Kamlesh Barot, past President, HRAWI.

Meanwhile, the hotel industry will also continue its drive to ensure safety of women patrons and like last year, plans to keep taxis queued for those who may leave in high spirits J

About Hotel & Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI)

The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) is a 65 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include smaller Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories. The bulk of its members like any growth economy are made up of budget hotels. With around 1300 members across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Daman, Diu & Silvassa, and is considered to be the voice of the Hotel Industry. The association is part of the national body of Federation of the Hotels & Restaurants Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr. J.R.D. Tata.

HRAWI APPEALS FOR A SINGLE WINDOW ON DEADLINE EXTENSION APPROVALS

HRAWI Appeals For A Single Window on Deadline Extension Approvals

Expresses Apprehensions About Hosting Christmas Eve Parties As Some Approvals Are Yet To Come Through

Mumbai: The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has welcomed the state government’s decision to allow hotels and restaurants to operate till 5 am on December 24, 25 and 31. However, it has expressed apprehension about being able to host Christmas Eve programmes as the necessary permissions are yet to be granted by the Police. With only a day to go, hotel owners are in a limbo and unable to make arrangements until the police extend their approval too.

The HRAWI has appealed for blanket approvals on extension of timings on these days by default, as against ad hoc approvals given each year. It also has requested the Government to provide such approvals through a single window rather than from multiple departments like Police, Excise and others.

“Firstly, we wish to express our thanks to the State Government for granting an extension on the deadline. But without all the approvals in place we cannot conceive special programmes for our patrons. This not only affects the city from a business point of view in terms of revenues lost, both to exchequer and the establishments, but also restricts revellers from enjoying the spirit of the season to the fullest,” says Mr. Bharat Malkani, President, HRAWI and Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI).

“Each year hotels face the dilemma of whether or not to proceed with making any special arrangements as we are unsure if all the permissions will come through in time. Even if the permissions do come through, it does no good for us to receive it at the eleventh hour because then we have very little time to make the required arrangements. Hence, we request all departments to expedite the process of giving permissions and extend the permissions through a single window,” adds Mr. Malkani.

Earlier this year the Hon’ble Chief Minister (CM) had announced his commitment to promote tourism and create ease of doing business for the hotel industry in the state. Based on the proposals submitted by HRAWI, the Government in principle resolved to reduction of operating licences from 75 to 25, requiring only 5 forms for obtaining all these licences, abolishment of event licences for pre-designated locations and permission for live performances, among others.

“We are thankful to the Maharashtra state and especially Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for acknowledging some of the more critical issues faced by the hotel industry. However, this particular issue of deadline extension approvals coming at the last minute remains unaddressed. HRAWI has been requesting for a blanket deadline which will do away with the need for issuing notifications every year on these three days. This will not only bring in out-of-state tourists but also bring back the lost lustre of Mumbai, being the country's mega polis. We sincerely hope that the State gives this issue the due consideration and includes this in the ambit of ease of doing business in the state,” concludes Mr. Kamlesh Barot, past President, HRAWI.

About Hotel & Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI)

The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) is a 65 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include smaller Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories. The bulk of its members like any growth economy are made up of budget hotels. With around 1300 members across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Daman, Diu & Silvassa, and is considered to be the voice of the Hotel Industry. The association is part of the national body of Federation of the Hotels & Restaurants Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr. J.R.D. Tata.

NOW SAVOR THE JAPANESE TREE HOUSE CHALET EXPERIENCE

New Year’s Eve At Rumourss Sky Villa, Lonavala

Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow;

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Alfred Tennyson

Mumbai: New Year’s Eve is a momentous occasion for a Mumbaikar. No city in India celebrates the festival with as much verve and vigor as Mumbai. Every resident is on the lookout to usher in the New Year with as much exuberance and uniqueness as possible. For most, this day is the epitome of an entire year.

This New Year’s Eve, eight lucky families (or a group of two to four pax) will be able to enjoy the Japanese Tree House Chalet experience for the first time in India. Rumourss Sky Villa, India’s first resort built on the lines of Japanese Tree House Chalets, has laid out a fun filled evening that includes unlimited dinner and a pool party under the stars for its patrons at very attractive rates.

“Our focus is on creating an experience rather than a New Year event. We encourage our guests to check in at noon and experience our hospitality till check out time the next day. Most parties held in Mumbai are claustrophobic in a manner of speaking. When you go to a dinner, discotheque or a pub, you are surrounded by walls on four sides and roof over the head. At our resort, we will be offering a surreal experience under the stars, alongside a party lit swimming pool, in the lap of nature. Located on the foothills of a mountain with a magnificent lake on the other side, Rumourss is set on one of the most picturesque locations of Lonavala,” says Mr. Devang Badiani, Managing Director, Rumourss Sky Villa & Resort Pvt. Ltd.

The New Year rentals at the resort are priced at Rs.33,024/- for the Sky Villas and Rs.30,656/- for the Earth Villas with early bird booking discount of 10 per cent. This includes accommodation for two to four pax in each villa, a gala dinner with starters and drinks, next day breakfast, free Wi-Fi and taxes. With a usable area of 400 sq. ft., each villa comes with a spacious balcony, a cozy attic with double mattress, 50 inch LED television, room service and many other standard and exclusive amenities.

“One of our most important highlights is privacy and exclusive service. In the entire resort covering an area of one acre, we have constructed only eight villas. Four of them are sky villas and four are earth villas. This enables us to provide quality service to each of our guests,” adds Mr. Badiani. “Another big differentiator is that we are a pet friendly resort. This New Year our patrons will be able to party with their pets as we not only permit the entry of pets, but encourage our guests to holiday with them.”

“One thing we can promise with absolute certainty is that 2016 New Year’s Eve will be one of the most unique and comprehensive experiences savored by our patrons. Since this is a one of its kind property in India and a mere two hour drive from Mumbai and Pune, the resort has been receiving pre bookings ever since its launch, earlier this year. We have priced it economically to generate goodwill and customer loyalty,” concludes Mr. Badiani.