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Jean-Michel Cassé, COO (India and South Asia), AccorHotels, says the world has never been as uncertain as it is today. Even with so much data to pore over, it’s difficult to decide what to do, he says. Nevertheless, the 52 hotel chain has started making city-wise forecasts for its properties, and a new business plan for six months beginning July. “We expect to earn just 50 per cent of the budgeted revenues in third and fourth quarters of 2020. Accor will go for another round of cost-cutting that includes reducing staff strength. Once we reopen hotels – in a staggered way – we expect new types of customers,” he says.

Following the 54-day lockdown announced by the government owing to the coronavirus pandemic, AccorHotels’ business, like that of other hotel chains, has come to a standstill. Even as top bosses work out plans to resume operations, the biggest concern is when and how to restart.