<span style="color: #222222;">Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Prahalad Singh Patel said opening of the two biggest segments of the tourism industry, hotels and restaurants in the country's capital is a positive move. Mr Patel said  this will help push domestic travel and give much relief to the industry.<br />''<br />''The Minister said, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), decision is a welcome step towards the revival of tourism and hospitality activities in the capital city.<br />''<br />''Mr Patel today visited Hotel Ashok to take stock of the preparedness of ITDC Hotels. Earlier, DDMA permitted hotels to operate in Delhi on 24th August. India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) announced the re-opening of its hotels in the state capitals.<br />''<br />''Mr Patel informed that ITDC has provided rigorous training around the health and safety protocols pertaining to COVID-19 to its entire staff and has developed a detailed SOP for each and every division. ITDC has also signed an MOU with AIIMS to form an advisory body to monitor the situation of COVID-19 on a real time basis and take necessary steps as and when needed.<br />''<br />''The Ministry of Home Affairs had permitted to start the hotel, restaurant, and hospitality services in the tourism sector from June 8th in a phased manner.</span><br />