Unlock 1.0: The Emergence Of Backyard Tourism

In June, hotels in the southern tech city tentatively opened. Bengaluru-based hoteliers are reporting an interest in staycations, dining-in experiences and ‘work from hotel’ trends

- Deepali Nandwani

Indian cities are going through a vortex of lockdowns and openings and then lockdowns again, throwing most businesses out of gear.

While every segment has been badly hit, hospitality is among the worst. Hotels, to open, need cities to stay open and guests to come in. Bengaluru was among the first cities in India to open in June after a nationwide lockdown. Even as we write this, we have received news that it has again been placed under a two-week lockdown due to rising infections.

Quite frustrating for hoteliers! However, Bengaluru has had a good month-and-a-half run with no lockdown, in which hotels have been allowed to open. The time may have offered hoteliers in India’s tech city an insight into the ground reality of opening up properties in fluid, complex times such as these.

We spoke to Bengaluru hoteliers to examine what the process has been like and what lessons they can offer to hotels in other parts of the country.

Conrad Bangalore’s General Manager Srijan Vadhera says, “Given the current quarantine restrictions outlined by MHA, business travel, which is the main contributor of business to hotels in the city, continues to be nonexistent, as of now. At this stage, the recovery of this segment seems long-drawn and only once travel restrictions are lifted, will we be able to ascertain the pace of our recovery.”

Vadhera recommends a two-layer approach to opening up a business. “The first is concerning travel, flight and mobility restrictions that were implemented by the government. This is our 30- 60-day window. In this case, our focus largely emphasises on the demands of the local market. For those residing in the city, our focus has been on leisure, weddings and celebrations, and food & beverage. To me, this is the immediate window.”