Hotel Industry with Special Reference to Food and Dining in Midst of Covid-19 - A Study of Ratnagiri and Chiplun Talukas

The hotel industry is one of the main pillars supporting the effective functioning of the Indian economy. But the stupefying appearance of COVID-19 paralysed the hotel industry altogether. With the lockdown imposed by the Indian government to contain the massive spread of the pandemic, it did little to mitigate the harsh repercussions of the pandemic, making it the worst nightmare for hotel industry owners. This research directs attention to the plight of the hotel industry with a special inclination to the food and dining sphere in the Ratnagiri and Chiplun talukas. Through a qualitative approach, utilising carefully designed questionnaires and interviews with key stakeholders, alongside supplemental insights drawn from secondary sources, this study aims to illustrate the specific challenges faced by businesses in this region. The research analyses the circumstances of restaurants, sweet marts, and local food vendors from pre- and post-lockdown perspectives, revealing the shifts and adjustments the pandemic necessitates.