Mysuru: Hotel Owners’ Association trying to increase voter turnouts and create voter awareness among the people has come out with a string of attractions to draw the voters to the Polling Booths by offering them huge discounts.

Addressing a press conference at the Pathrakartara Bhavan here yesterday, Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association President C. Narayanagowda said that the Association is making all efforts to see that more and more voters, especially the first time voters who are above the age of 18 cast their votes on Apr.18. All such young voters will be given 50 percent discount on eatables if they show their inked fingers in different hotels in the city, he said.

Similarly, senior citizen couples above the age of 60 who cast their votes on the same day (Apr.18) will also be given 50 percent discount at a few lodges in city for a one day stay, he added.  

Those who have booked hotels in advance have been informed that if they have not cast their votes and want to come and check into the hotels, such guests’ room bookings will be cancelled, he said.

The owners of the hotels have been asked to sanction leave to the staff of the hotels that come from outside the city to go and cast their votes in their respective places. A shift system will be in place to see that the hotels function normally, he said.

First, second and third prizes will be awarded to the hotels where the maximum number of staff goes to the Polling Booths to vote. The award ceremony will be held on Apr.30, said Narayanagowda.

There are nearly 25,000 employees working in hotels and bakeries and a compulsory voter awareness drive has also been done for them, he added.

Posters and pamphlets were also released on the occasion.

Vice-President C. Harikumar, Hotel Owners Association Charitable Trust President Ravishastri, Hon. Secretary Subramanya R. Tantri and others were present.