New Delhi: India is traditionally a late bookers' market, but you may not want to hold off on year-end bookings for too long.
Rates have already started shooting up for the year-end travel season, with hotel chains reporting up to 15% higher advance bookings than last year. A Christmas stay could cost ₹40,000 a night including tax at The Westin Goa and over ₹1 lakh at The Leela Palace Udaipur, as per rates published on a popular online platform. For a private suite at The Oberoi Udaivilas on December 31, the rate is more than ₹3.5 lakh.
"We are tracking about 15% ahead of last year for the year-end season. With festive travel picking up and the wedding season underway, November and December are shaping up to be among our strongest months ever, and we are optimistic about maintaining this momentum," said Nikhil Sharma, managing director and chief operating officer, South Asia, at the Radisson Hotel Group.
Based on current trends, HVS Anarock expects average room rates to touch ₹8,000-9,000 and nationwide occupancy to approach 67% by the year-end season, said Mandeep S Lamba, CEO (South Asia) at the hospitality sector consultancy.
Lamba said the final quarter of 2025 is poised to be a high-demand period for India's hospitality sector, driven by a convergence of multiple tailwinds. "The festive and wedding seasons are set to be in full swing, corporate travel will continue to gain momentum, and the traditional October-December influx of inbound tourists will further bolster demand," he said.
"What's encouraging is the broad-based nature of this growth. Leisure, corporate and social segments will all contribute, and the momentum is no longer confined to just the top metros. Tier-2 and -3 cities are seeing a strong upswing as well," he added.
Akshay Thusoo, senior vice-president, commercial, at Sarovar Hotels said the chain's South Goa hotels are already clocking 60% occupancy for the year-end season based on existing business on the books, with an about 11% uptick in average daily rates.
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Rates have already started shooting up for the year-end travel season, with hotel chains reporting up to 15% higher advance bookings than last year. A Christmas stay could cost ₹40,000 a night including tax at The Westin Goa and over ₹1 lakh at The Leela Palace Udaipur, as per rates published on a popular online platform. For a private suite at The Oberoi Udaivilas on December 31, the rate is more than ₹3.5 lakh.
"We are tracking about 15% ahead of last year for the year-end season. With festive travel picking up and the wedding season underway, November and December are shaping up to be among our strongest months ever, and we are optimistic about maintaining this momentum," said Nikhil Sharma, managing director and chief operating officer, South Asia, at the Radisson Hotel Group.
Based on current trends, HVS Anarock expects average room rates to touch ₹8,000-9,000 and nationwide occupancy to approach 67% by the year-end season, said Mandeep S Lamba, CEO (South Asia) at the hospitality sector consultancy.
Lamba said the final quarter of 2025 is poised to be a high-demand period for India's hospitality sector, driven by a convergence of multiple tailwinds. "The festive and wedding seasons are set to be in full swing, corporate travel will continue to gain momentum, and the traditional October-December influx of inbound tourists will further bolster demand," he said.
"What's encouraging is the broad-based nature of this growth. Leisure, corporate and social segments will all contribute, and the momentum is no longer confined to just the top metros. Tier-2 and -3 cities are seeing a strong upswing as well," he added.
Akshay Thusoo, senior vice-president, commercial, at Sarovar Hotels said the chain's South Goa hotels are already clocking 60% occupancy for the year-end season based on existing business on the books, with an about 11% uptick in average daily rates.
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