Goa, Gujarat and Chandigarh leads FSSAI's State Food Safety Index

Key Take Away

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), recently released the results of the second State Food Safety Index to celebrate World Food Safety Day during a webinar.

The State Food Safety Index ranks states on five parameters of food safety through a rigorous evaluation process every year. This year, among the larger states, Gujarat was the top-ranking state, followed by
Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

On this occasion, FSSAI also released an E-handbook on “Eat Right during COVID-19” for citizens. An updated detailed guidance note ‘Food Hygiene and Safety Guidelines for Food Businesses during COVID-19 pandemic’ was released. 

For More Information

www.hotelierindia.com/fb/11137-goa-gujarat-and-chandigarh-leads-fssais-state-food-safety-index

NCHM JEE 2020 postponed; NTA to announce new dates for Hotel Management entrance exam soon

Key Take Away

National Council for Hotel Management Joint Entrance Examination or NCHM JEE 2020  were scheduled to be conducted on June 22 after it was deferred. Initially, the NCHM JEE 2020 was supposed to be held on May 5. The entrance exam dates were postponed twice by National Testing Agency (NTA) in the wake of the coronavirus situation in the country. 

As per the official notification, the NCHM JEE 2020 Admit Cards will be released 15 days prior to the date of examination on the official websites -- nta.ac.in or nchmjee.nta.nic.in.

For More Information Click Below :

www.indiatvnews.com/education/news-nchm-jee-2020-postpone-nta-hotel-management-entrance-exam-new-dates-624294

18 percent restaurants may not restart post lockdown

Key Take Away

Post COVID-19, it is estimated that 18 percent of single-unit restaurants are likely to shut down between May and July and another 12-15 percent of restaurants will be part of the second round of closure between September and December

As per the report, in the financial year 2019-20, the year that ended in March 2020, only 19% outlets delivered an EBITDA of 10% or more, "half of our universe was negative"

It is important to understand the income-pool that restaurants serve. Drive-Throughs are now a lifeline for fast-food chains.

For More information click below :

english.mathrubhumi.com/food/people/18-per-cent-restaurants-may-not-restart-post-lockdown-report-1.4812505

Kolkata restaurants to reopen from June 8 with new innovative measures to ensure social distancing

Key Take Away

The nationwide lockdown has led to various restrictions being lifted in many parts of the country, restaurants in Kolkata are also set to function from June 08 .In this regard, they have come up with various innovative measures to ensure social distancing as well as smooth functioning .

There are quite a few interesting measures which include: glass partitions between tables, an option to place an order on phone from the table, virtual instruction cards to inform guests about the new guidelines, a marked waiting area for those queuing up at the entrance door.

For More Information Click Below :

www.timesnownews.com/kolkata/article/kolkata-restaurants-to-reopen-from-june-8-with-new-innovative-measures-to-ensure-social-distancing/602755

Hospitality sector alarmed by orders from state authorities, not getting paid for services rendered

Key Take Away

The hospitality industry has raised concerns about 'high-handed' state government orders to requisition hotels as quarantine or treatment centers, and hoteliers not being compensated for the services offered through the lockdown.
On May 29, the Delhi government requisitioned five hotels through an order to convert them into extended Covid-19 hospitals, a move that took hoteliers by surprise.

The court directed the government to appoint an expert committee to examine the issue and to deal with the petitioner's representation. The matter stands adjourned to June 9.

The head of a hotel chain said his entire hotel has been taken over by state authorities in Madhya Pradesh and he had not been paid.

For More Information click below:

economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/hotels-/-restaurants/hotels-as-quarantine-facilities-for-coronavirus-patients-hospitality-sector-alarmed-by-state-orders/articleshow/76202953.cms

‘My Shimla Hotel Is Ghosted, No Respite For Industry in Unlock 1’

Key Take Away

The Himachal government has asked hotels to open from 8 June but only for locals within Himachal state business travel. No tourists are allowed to enter Himachal Pradesh or be entertained in hotels.

Children below 10 and people above 65 will not be allowed into the state. The cost of compliance with the new SOP norms by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is huge.

 The unified representation of 18 hotel associations of Himachal Pradesh has conveyed to the state government that they will not open till end-August or September.

For More Information click below:

www.thequint.com/my-report/coronavirus-impact-tourism-industry-losses-shimla-himachal-pradesh

Finalists for The Young National Chef of the Year revealed

Key Take Away

Due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19, the selection process has had to be tweaked for this year. The Craft Guild of Chefs has revealed ten talented young chefs who have been selected to compete in the Young National Chef of the Year final this autumn.

Head judge, Hrishikesh Desai, and organizer of the competition, David Mulcahy have handpicked the finalists based on recommendations from industry experts. All finalists will be invited to an online webinar to chat with David and Hrishikesh about the competition and also to connect with each other.

The criteria for the final will be announced at the end of June but will have a special focus on sustainability.

For More Information click below:

www.boutiquehotelier.com/finalists-for-the-young-national-chef-of-the-year-revealed/

A reassuring robot is helping customers enjoy their drink

Key Take Away

Robo-bartenders are shaking up South Korea's cafe and bar culture as the country transitions from intensive social distancing to what the government calls "distancing in daily life".

At the Cafe Bot Bot Bot coffee bar, where the robot arm shakes up mojitos and other cocktails, manager Kim Tae-wan also pointed out that the 'drink bot' can provide consistent quality to their mixes that human bartenders can't.

For More Information Click below :

economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/a-reassuring-robot-is-helping-customers-enjoy-their-drink/not-entirely-human/slideshow/76211161.cms

Spain’s Hospitality Industry Watches How Belgium Swaps ‘Happy Hour’ for ‘Helpy Hour’ to Avoid Going Under

Key Take Away

‘HELPY hour’ – which replaces happy hour – was launched by Belgium’s Federation of Cafes to help stop its hospitality establishments from going under.

So instead of getting two drinks for one – as is the case in ‘happy hour’ – ‘helpy hour’ allows punters to pay double for a drink, which is basically the reverse of happy hour. The initiative has been launched to save struggling bars and cafes amid the lockdown.

For More Information click below:

www.euroweeklynews.com/2020/06/06/spains-hospitality-industry-watches-how-belgium-swaps-happy-hour-for-helpy-hour-to-avoid-going-under/

Optimism rising for hospitality industry despite canceled events, concerts

Key Take Away

Thousands would be flocking to the area this weekend for the 2020 WIAA State Track & Field Meet at UW-La Crosse, but due to COVID-19, organizers were forced to cancel the event.

The meet has an annual economic impact of over $2 million to the area according to the La Crosse County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The effects of COVID-19 have been devastating for the hospitality industry. In April, hotels in La Crosse County were seeing single digits.

For More Information click below:

wxow.com/2020/06/05/optimism-rising-for-hospitality-industry-despite-canceled-events-concerts/

Leisure and Hospitality drive jobs number higher

Key Take Away

The employment rate decreased slightly and job numbers rose for the first time since the coronavirus crisis began.

The May jobs numbers showed an unexpected jump in payrolls as certain sectors like leisure and hospitality made a comeback that dramatically beat estimates and surprised economists and market observers.

Non-farm payrolls jumped 2.509 million in May, compared to an expected loss of 7.5 million. Leisure and hospitality sectors, which had been hit sharply by the coronavirus’s shutdowns, added 1.239 million jobs, the largest rebound. Food services and drinking places employment grew by 22%.

The challenge for restaurants reopening is that they must do so with some measure of social distancing in place; being restricted to lower capacities could pose a threat to many more hospitality jobs coming back.

For More Information Click below :

money.yahoo.com/leisure-and-hospitality-drive-jobs-numbers-higher-142522323.html

Payroll gains were broad-based in the May 2020 jobs report.money.yahoo.com/leisure-and-hospitality-drive-jobs-numbers-higher-142522323.html

Japan hotels, restaurants seek new revenue streams

Key Take Away

Japan’s hospitality sector is adapting its offerings to include daily room use and takeaway services to bring in much-needed revenue during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

High-end hotels have rolled out campaigns inviting businesses to use their spacious, WiFi-equipped rooms for telecommuting.

In Tokyo, the ANA InterContinental offers half-day (three hours) and full-day (nine hours) plans for one or two people to use its twin or double rooms for remote working.

The Hotel Granvia Osaka is also offering daily plans (nine hours) for remote working.

For More Information

www.ttgasia.com/2020/06/05/japan-hotels-restaurants-seek-new-revenue-streams/

New study calculates cost of post-pandemic housekeeping

Key Take Away

Hotel operations platform Optii Solutions has been working with hotel partners to calculate the cost of implementing the new cleaning requirements

Before the pandemic, a standard leisure room took an average of 39.3 minutes to clean and cost $9.42 in terms of staff time, based on a guestroom accommodating one or two people.

According to Optii, incorporating the new cleaning protocols will push the cleaning time for a standard leisure room up to 42.3 minutes at a cost of $10.12. The cost increases when children stay in the room (45.2 minutes at a cost of $10.80 per room), and decreases for business travelers (31.8 minutes to clean at a cost of $7.60 per room.) 

For More Information

www.hotelmanagement.net/housekeeping/new-study-calculates-cost-post-pandemic-housekeeping

New safety rules announced for UAE hotels

Key Take Away

Hotels across the UAE have new guidelines to follow to ensure they operate safely during the coronavirus pandemic. Guidelines were issued by The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and apply to all hotels across the emirates, according to state news agency Wam

There are 21 main points covered in the hotel guidelines, which advice on policies for physical distancing measures, cleaning and sanitizing of guest rooms, health checks for staff and guests, as well as hygiene protocols for restaurants, cafes, swimming pools, beaches, and health clubs.

Under the new guidelines, hotels must test staff for COVID-19 before reopening. Tests must then be repeated every 15 days.

For More Information

www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/travel/new-safety-rules-announced-for-uae-hotels-1.1029270

MSC to debut two new ships during summer 2021 programme

Key Take Away

The cruise company revealed that it will further extend the temporary fleet-wide halt of its cruise operation through to  July 31, 2020. 

It also announced that it will debut two new ships, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Seashore, during the summer 1 August 2021 program due to the delay that was caused by the temporary closure of the shipyard due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It will offer the popular ‘Six Pearls’ itinerary calling the Italian cities of Genoa and, for visits to Pompeii, Naples; Messina, Sicily; Valletta, Malta; Barcelona, Spain, and Marseille, France. 

For More Information

www.iol.co.za/amp/travel/travel-news/msc-to-debut-two-new-ships-during-summer-2021-programme-48999344

Will home-sharing and luxury hotels recover sooner after COVID-19?

Key Take Away

STR (Smith Travel Research), a leading data analytics provider for the lodging industry, conducted an opinion survey about travelers' attitudes towards different types of accommodation facilities based on their preference from the past experience. One assumption for such an analysis is that travelers tend to stick to the same kind of accommodation facility for their trips.

The short-term rental/vacation rental/self-catering segment appears to be least affected for post-pandemic travel. There was only an 8 percent-point change (29% vs. 37%) for the group who would travel less. 

For More Information

https://youtu.be/pXkF8BeIuiM

www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4099019.html

Government of India; Ministry of Health and Family Welfare | SOP on preventive measures in Hotels and Other Hospitality Units to contain spread of COVID-19

5SoPstobefollowedinHotelsandotherunits by Eclat on Scribd

The summer season begins - Accor is working hard to provide a wide variety of flexible and safe destinations

Key Take Away

Accor anticipates that more than 70% of its global network will reopen by the start of July. Accor has also seen renewed interest in travel demand, with hotel reservations doubling.

Guests who have booked a non-flexible rate directly on the ALL.com reservation site for a stay until June 30, 2020, can change their reservation to a future date (within the next 18 months) at the same hotel or receive a voucher for the full value of their stay for later use.

Business Plus and ibis Business cards will be extended by six months from the expiry date.

For More Information

www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4099036.html

Marriott opens all hotels in China, sees steady US recovery

Marriott International has reopened all its hotels in China and is seeing a steady recovery in the United States, its biggest market, Chief Executive Officer Arne Sorenson said

In the United States, Marriott's hotels that remained open crossed the 20 percent occupancy threshold and continue to see an improvement

Maldives brings forward reopening date to July

Key Take Away

"We are planning to reopen our borders for visitors in July 2020," read an official statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism on May 30.

To ensure safety, the government says it is issuing a "Safe Tourism License" to accredit tourist facilities that abide by government legislation and specific safety requirements like having a certified medic on call and holding an "adequate stock" of personal protection equipment.

Travelers will also need to take steps. They'll be required to present a medical certificate confirming proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken at least 14 days before they arrive.

For More Information

www-cnn-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.cnn.com/travel/amp/maldives-reopening-july/index.html