With lockdown hitting tourism, the biggest industry in West Bengal’s
Darjeeling region, some big names in hotel and restaurant business are
now home-delivering food from their famous kitchens to wade through the
crisis.
Home delivery, the companies say, can ensure some revenue
by helping them stay in touch with old patrons and meet new customers at
the same time.
Among big names venturing into the new territory
are Club Montana Vista of the Ambuja Neotia group and Courtyard of the
Marriott Hotels group. Both are located in Siliguri, north Bengal’s
biggest trade hub and gateway to the North-East.
Club Montana
Vista, which is famous for its restaurant and the Sunday brunch, has
tied up with Swiggy for the home delivery. Hirak Jyoti Maitra, deputy
general manager (sales), said, “Our management decided to activate some
revenue model. The food is being delivered by Swiggy. We will soon
finalise a tie-up with Zomato.”
Located inside the Uttorayon township, Club Montana Vista earlier
used to deliver food to customers inside the township only and the job
was handled by its employees. “Now we can reach any address in any part
of Siliguri,” said Maitra.
Courtyard, on the other hand, has tied up with Zomato to deliver food within a radius of eight kilometres.
Samrat
Sanyal, general secretary, Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism
Development Network, said, “Many hotels are trying to innovate to bring
home at least some revenue during this crisis.”
Requesting anonymity, a senior employee of a popular hotel said,
“This is an opportunity to reach out to new customers by delivering food
at their doorstep. We need additional operations to sustain. Though the
response so far has not been overwhelming because of the fear among
people, we hope to do better.”
Considered a landmark, Mayfair
Resort in Darjeeling has not started home delivery yet but is planning
to stay connected with customers by accepting orders. “The customers
have to pick up the food,” said Sabyasachi Mohanty, the manager.
“Our main objective is to stay in touch with patrons who have enjoyed our food items for years,” said Mohanty.
Some of the famous hotels in picturesque Darjeeling are, however, willing to wait for the business to revive after the lockdown.
Elgin
Hotel, the oldest heritage star-category hotel in Darjeeling, was set
up in 1887. It has 35 rooms and employs 45 people. Diamond Oberoi, its
managing director, said, “Though we are struggling, I hope so see some
positive developments after October.”
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