Coronavirus spread: Banks' exposure to travel, hospitality sectors at risk

65 listed firms in travel and tourism sector had Rs 30,500-cr outstanding loans in Sept

Lenders’ exposure to the travel and hospitality sectors is at risk because of the economic disruption from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The 65 listed companies in the sector had combined outstanding loans worth around Rs 30,500 crore at the end of September 2019, up 37.2 per cent year-on-year (YoY) compared to the corresponding period a year ago.
 
The companies had total loan outstanding of around Rs 22,200 crore at the end of September 2018. 
 
Hotels are the biggest borrowers followed by airlines. Hotel chains such as Indian Hotels, Chalet Hotels, Lemon Tree Hotels, and Asian Hotels (North) accounted