THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the Supreme Court has upheld state's liquor policy restricting bar licences only to five-star hotels, many four and three-star hotels, including those of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), are making efforts to get a five-star classification.
Over the last few months alone two hotels in Ernakulam got upgraded to five-star status and obtained the liquor licence. One hotel in Thrissur district has also improved the facilities and received five star classification. They would be getting bar licence soon.
In Thiruvananthapuram city, two four-star hotels are undergoing renovation for obtaining five-star status.
The KTDC is hoping to get a five-star classification for Mascot in Thiruvananthapuram, Samudra in Kovalam and Bolgatty Palace in Kochi.
"So far we have not gone for any classification. But now we have decided to obtain the rating for all our facilities, including Yatri Nivas properties," KTDC managing director P.M. Ali Asgar Pasha said.
He also maintained that the KTDC was seeking five-star classification not with the aim of obtaining bar licence.
"Even after the UDF government's liquor policy came, it did not affect KTDC's overall business as sales at its 39 beer parlours had increased," he said.
Many applications of hotels from the state for re-classification are learnt to be pending with the Union tourism ministry.
"It is quite easy for a four-star hotel to get upgraded to five-star as it needs only certain minor upgradations," said Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association president G. Sudheesh Kumar.
He also said many hotels were trying to upgrade facilities to get five-star classification as they were left with no other option to sustain the business. Specific norms like the cent percent qualified staff and size of room are prescribed for five-star hotels.
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