As the highly anticipated 2023 Cricket World Cup draws closer, hotel prices in key locations like Ahmedabad have surged. Ahmedabad is set to host the opening match, finals, and the much-awaited India-Pakistan clash, leading to a significant increase in hotel bookings.
Following the recent schedule announcement by the International Cricket Council (ICC), hotels in Ahmedabad have experienced a surge in demand. Nearly 70% of the city’s available rooms have already been booked for October 15, according to Nikhil Sharma, the Market Managing Director of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Eurasia.
The India-Pakistan match at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on October 15 has particularly fueled the spike in hotel prices. Some hotels are charging more than ten times their regular rates, with prices reaching close to Rs 1 lakh for a single night’s stay. For example, the Lemon Tree Hotel currently charges Rs 3,086 for a standard single room on July 4, but the price jumps to Rs 59,219 for October 15.
Luxury hotels such as ITC Narmada, Courtyard by Marriott, Hyatt, and Taj Skyline Ahmedabad have already sold out their rooms for October 15. Santosh Kumar, the Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia, noted that the demand extends beyond the premium hotel segment and is expected to spill over into middle-tier hotels and alternative accommodations.
Kumar highlighted the excitement of watching India play live as a significant factor driving cricket enthusiasts from around the world to travel. There has been a surge in demand for match dates in October compared to the same period last year.
In summary, with the 2023 Cricket World Cup on the horizon, hotel prices in Ahmedabad have surged due to the high demand for the opening match, finals, and the India-Pakistan clash. Many hotels are already fully booked, and room rates have significantly increased, reflecting the excitement and enthusiasm of cricket fans worldwide.