X`mas, New Year bashes low-key in Mumbai hotels; bookings dip

Mumbai, Dec 25 (PTI) Hotels in India's financial hub
Mumbai are seeing a slump in bookings for this holiday season
compared to Christmas and New Year last year due to negative
sentiment prevailing in backdrop of the economic meltdown and
the terror attacks on Taj and Trident here.

"There has been a 30-40 percent dip in bookings in
Mumbai hotels this time because of the terror attacks. Big
hotels have suffered more as they have more rooms to fill,"
Hotels and Restaurants Association, Western India, Secretary
General S M Korde told PTI.

Many luxury establishments in Mumbai as well as in
Goa, famous for its New Year bashes, witnessed shrinking
occupancy rates following the 60-hour long terror siege on the
iconic Taj and Trident hotels on November 26.

Ratan Tata-owned Taj and Oberoi Group-run Trident
reopened their respective tower wings on December 21 after
three weeks of restoration works.

Taj had an occupancy rate of 56 percent, with 150 of
the 268 rooms being checked into on the first day, while the
550-room Trident registered an occupancy of over 16 percent.

"We had 95 rooms checked into on Christmas eve
(December 24)," a Trident spokesperson said, adding occupancy
may have touched 110 rooms by midnight. "We expect room
bookings at 20-25 percent for Christmas day," she added.

The sea-facing hotel, like most of its peers, is going
to keep Christmas and New Year celebrations low-key this time.

"We have stopped everything this time, firstly because
of the tragic incidents (attacks) and also there is hardly any
crowd who feels like partying," Anand Bhatt, General Manager,
Ritz Hotel, located at Church gate, said.

"Hotels in Mumbai have decided not to have Christmas
and New Year bashes. They aren't rejecting individual parties,
but the idea is to have low-key celebrations," Korde said.

The hotel industry pegs the overall slump at between
30-40 percent.

"Bookings are down by 30-35 percent than what could
have been (in normal situation). There is a 50-60 percent
drop in bookings from Indians and negligible growth from
foreigners who make up for 30 percent of guests," Bhatt said.

"It is also a bit of recession issue along with the
terror factor. Goa, too, has been affected along with Mumbai
this time, otherwise where's the availability in Goan hotels?"
Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Member, Managing
Committee, Sharukh Kapadia, said.

"Not just bookings, even hotel rates have come down.
Those having larger inventories or more than 200 rooms are
faring worse," TAAI, Honorary Treasurer, Iqbal Mulla, said.

"Also, the business that South Mumbai hotels used to
get is now partly moving to suburban hotels or those in remote
areas," Mulla said, adding many guests from Canada, US and
European countries have cancelled their bookings.

Korde, however, begs to differ. "Whether the hotel is
sea-facing or one that is 20 kilometres away from the coast,
it is still the same city. So, it doesn't make much of a
difference when it comes to feeling safe."

Industry players say it would be 8-10 months before
the scenario in the hospitality and tourism sector improves.

"It will take around 6-8 months before the hotel
business looks up," Korde said.

Ritz is, however, hoping that the New Year would bring
good times along with it. PTI