Hoteliers seek extension in night operation timing

Hyderabad: The hospitality industry, apart from demanding its status to be elevated to tourism industry, has asked for extending restaurant and bar timings beyond 1 am. Neighbouring states like Maharashtra, Goa, West Bengal and Karnataka have more relaxed policies towards the industry without restriction on night timings.

The industry is seeking extra hours to operate restaurants, especially bars beyond midnight. While midnight is the deadline for star hotels, for others it is 11 pm.

“We have been asking for permission to be extended up to morning. Also, separate licenses for beer and wine can be introduced,” said Pradeep Kumar Dutt, secretary general, Hotels and Restaurants Association of TS.