Hotel Industry Calls for Urgent LPG Support Amid Crisis

A delegation from the Andhra Pradesh Star Hotels Association (ASHA) and the Hotel Association Joint Action Committee (JAC) recently met with Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav to address significant challenges facing the hotel and tourism industries due to a shortage of commercial LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders. The meeting, which took place in Vijayawada, included key representatives such as ASHA President RV Swamy and Vijayawada Hotels Association President Ramana, along with JAC members Ravi and Chaitanya.

During the discussion, the delegation submitted a detailed representation to Minister Keshav, emphasizing the urgent need for government intervention. While acknowledging the government’s focus on domestic LPG consumers, the representatives stressed that commercial LPG is crucial for the daily operations of hotels, restaurants, and catering services. They urged the government to allocate at least 50 percent of the required LPG cylinder quota to the hospitality sector to prevent widespread business closures.

The hotel industry is a vital source of employment, supporting thousands of livelihoods ranging from chefs and kitchen staff to suppliers and small vendors. The delegation warned that a prolonged LPG shortage could have dire consequences for employment across the entire sector. Key tourist and pilgrimage destinations, including Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Vijayawada, and Amaravati, could also face service disruptions, as hotels play an essential role in accommodating visitors.

To mitigate the crisis, the delegation explored several strategies to reduce LPG consumption. Suggestions included limiting hotel operational hours to close by 22:00, mirroring restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic. Minister Keshav also proposed alternate-day operations, allowing different hotels to operate on separate days to manage gas usage more effectively. Another idea was to implement a ‘limited menu’ policy, particularly in star hotels, to decrease fuel consumption by reducing the variety of dishes offered.

Responding to the delegation’s concerns, Minister Keshav assured them that he would escalate the issue to the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. He committed to discussing the matter with fellow ministers and senior officials before presenting it to the Chief Minister for a final decision.

The hotel industry’s request highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the tourism sector in Andhra Pradesh, underlining the critical need for sustainable solutions to ensure its recovery and growth.