Bhubaneswar: Ace sprinter Dutee Chand has turned entrepreneur by opening two hotels ‘DT Delights’ in Bhubaneswar.
According to reports, the Olympian from Odisha has opened one of the hotels at Sailashree Vihar and another near AIIMS, Bhubaneswar in partnership with Saroj Kumar Mishra. They have also made an agreement with OYO for 10 years.
Speaking about her new venture, Dutee said, “Initially, we received zero response as the rooms were not filled with guests after opening the hotels. Later, the issue was resolved. Now, we are registering record bookings for the rooms.”
According to the athlete, the aim of opening the hotels is to provide jobs to unemployed youth. “Over 10 youth from my locality have been engaged in my hotels. With increase in number of hotels in upcoming years, the recruitment percentage will rise accordingly,” Dutee said in a media interview, adding that she has spent all the money she has received as rewards in her business.
She is targeting to launch 100 hotels in the next two-three years across Odisha. Besides, she is also planning to open up a five-star hotel designed for Olympians.
Moreover, Dutee also wants to set up a trust that will work for poor weavers at her native place.
