BRICS Summit Sparks Delhi Hotel Room Crunch, Luxury Tariffs Soar Beyond ₹2.3 Lakh Per Night

Delhi's luxury hotels are grappling with a severe room shortage and skyrocketing tariffs as they prepare for the upcoming BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13. Several prominent properties, including Taj Mahal, The Oberoi, Taj Palace, Leela Palace, and ITC Maurya, have no room availability or are charging exorbitant rates during the summit dates.

The influx of delegates and the extended stays they require have put immense pressure on Delhi's limited inventory of branded hotel rooms, estimated to be around 200,000 to 220,000 across the country. Hotel Association of India President K B Kachru highlighted the disparity between India's tourism ambitions and its hospitality infrastructure, stating that the current hotel stock is inadequate for the nation's size and aspirations.

Travelers with pre-planned visits may face substantially higher prices, have to stay away from central Delhi, alter their travel dates, or opt for more affordable accommodations. The surge in demand is also benefiting hotels outside the capital city, with Ramada Encore by Wyndham on Dwarka Expressway reporting 65 percent occupancy for September 12-15.

The LaLiT New Delhi expects representatives from South Africa, Burundi, and the UAE during the summit. Radisson Hotel Group noted that average room rates across its portfolio rose over 25 percent year-on-year in September. Last-minute bookings could intensify demand as the event draws nearer, benefiting luxury hotels and the MICE segment through increased demand for rooms, conference facilities, and hospitality services.

However, the dynamic nature of tariffs and availability means they may change with bookings, cancellations, and new inventory releases.