In a frenzy sparked by the announcement of the highly anticipated India-Pakistan ODI World Cup match scheduled for October 15 at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi stadium, hotel room rates in the city have soared to unprecedented heights. According to leading hotel booking websites, the surge in demand has resulted in a staggering ten-fold increase in room tariffs, with prices reaching close to Rs 1 lakh. This influx of bookings has quickly depleted available rooms, leaving many fans scrambling to secure accommodation.
On regular days, luxury hotels in Ahmedabad charge between Rs 5,000 and Rs 8,000 per night. However, for the much-anticipated match day, prices have skyrocketed to an astonishing Rs 40,000, with some establishments even demanding Rs 1 lakh per night. The astounding rate hike reflects the unparalleled demand generated by the fierce cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan.
For instance, the renowned Welcome Hotel by ITC Hotels, which currently offers deluxe rooms for Rs 5,699 on July 2, will charge a whopping Rs 71,999 per night on October 15. Similarly, the Renaissance Ahmedabad Hotel on SG Highway, known for its current daily rate of Rs 8,000, is quoting a staggering Rs 90,679 for a room on the day of the match. Pride Plaza Hotel on SG Highway has raised its rates to Rs 36,180, while the usually budget-friendly Cama Hotel on Sabarmati Riverfront has inflated its rental to Rs 27,233 for that day.
The surge in prices has led to sold-out rooms at prominent five-star hotels such as ITC Narmada, Courtyard by Marriott, Hyatt, and Taj Skyline Ahmedabad. The Hotels and Restaurants Association (HRA) of Gujarat has attributed the price hikes to the overwhelming demand primarily from Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and affluent cricket enthusiasts residing in other states.
HRA-Gujarat spokesperson, Abhijeet Deshmukh, explained that hotels respond to the high demand by adjusting their rates accordingly. “If the hoteliers anticipate exceptional demand during a specific period, they will adjust their prices to maximize revenue, knowing that the rooms will be fully occupied despite the higher rates. Once the demand subsides, the room rates will gradually return to normal,” Deshmukh stated.
The surge in bookings mainly stems from upper-middle-class cricket fans and NRIs who prioritize luxury accommodations and are willing to travel significant distances to witness such captivating matches. Deshmukh emphasized that the surge in demand has primarily impacted luxury hotels, while budget hotels are yet to witness a significant increase as middle-class cricket fans tend to make last-minute decisions regarding their travel plans.
As the countdown to the thrilling India-Pakistan clash continues, cricket enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting a potential decline in room rates, hopeful that supply and demand dynamics will eventually restore affordability to the city’s hospitality sector.
