Following a lackluster May, attributed to the general election and heatwaves, there’s now a surge in bookings at prominent hotels in the national capital. This uptick coincides with heightened political activity, characterized by the movement of key ministers and newly elected MPs gearing up for the forthcoming swearing-in ceremony of the new government.
Projections and Trends:
Hoteliers anticipate a further increase in bookings in the upcoming weeks, as corporates are also gearing up to schedule trips following the allocation of ministries.
“Since Wednesday, we’ve experienced a significant surge in bookings due to our prime location in the heart of the city,” stated Tarun Thakral, Chief Operating Officer of Le Meridien hotel, highlighting its proximity to central Delhi, near the Parliament and government ministries. “Bookings have been driven by the upcoming swearing-in ceremony, with new MPs set to stay with us,” he added.
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“At present, we’re enjoying a 70-80% occupancy rate, and with the surge in inquiries, there’s a possibility of reaching 90% by Thursday evening,” he remarked optimistically. “We anticipate this trend to persist for the next two to three weeks until ministries are allocated, with corporate groups also arriving to engage with the new ministers and key government officials,” he further elaborated.
Abhishek Sadhoo, the General Manager at Shangri-La Eros New Delhi, noted a minor decline in bookings during May compared to the usual season, attributing it to the elections, which likely prompted some travelers to defer their trips.
He mentioned, “The abnormally high temperatures had an impact on our food and beverage industry as well. Corporate gatherings, particularly those awaiting government approvals, were postponed during this time.”
“However, June appears to hold much promise for Shangri-La Eros New Delhi. The hotel’s strategic proximity to government bodies and ministries makes us well-suited to cater to the heightened political engagements. There has been a notable increase in inquiries from government officials and industry associations,” he elaborated.
Praydhumna Singh, the general manager at Taj Palace, New Delhi, anticipates a noticeable acceleration in both room bookings and corporate and diplomatic conferences and events in the coming weeks.
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Vijay Bhalla, the general manager of The Lalit in New Delhi, situated in central Delhi, noted a ‘significant’ increase in reservations following the elections.
Bhalla remarked, “Although there was a slowdown in recent weeks due to the elections and the heatwave, we’re delighted to witness travel plans resuming as uncertainties diminish.”
“Events that were previously postponed are now being confirmed, leading to a surge in bookings. The overall attitude toward travel has turned more optimistic, generating increased interest compared to recent weeks. As VIPs and corporate entities gear up for visits to the capital, we anticipate this positive trend to gather momentum in the near future,” he added.