Despite terror threats, Bangalore rocking

Despite terror threats, Bangalore rocking
THe FInancial Express
BANGALORE, JANUARY 5: The recent terror attack and following bomb hoaxes and threats in India's IT capital did not seem to have affected the star hotel business on New Year’s eve.

On the other hand, majority of the city hotels witnessed impressive business on the December 31 night.


Hotel Grand Ashok, which was among the hit list, in fact, managed to triple its business on New Year eve. "Nearly 1,500 people gathered for dinner this year compared to 550 last year," said Jagmohan Misra, general manager, The Grand Ashok. "There was a temporary set back after the bomb hoax but we managed to develop public confidence through electronic and print media," Misra added.

Similarly, The Oberoi Hotel too recorded good business on New Year’s eve.

"We had a capacity of 400 covers or 200 couple entries and we sold about 65-70 per cent," said Pinky Mukherjee, communication manager, The Oberoi Hotels.

"Last year, it was less due to the tsunami tragedy," Mukherjee added.

Business at Taj West End, a luxury hotel in the city, was also not affected.

"Our business was not at all affected on the New Year eve and there was 10-15 per cent increase in the number of guests compared to last year," said Rajeev Khanna, manager, food and beverage (F&B) of Taj West End. Taj West End managed to sell more than 85 per cent of their 600 covers.

However, The Park Hotel seemed to have been hit because of the security threats.

"This year we had 275 guests compared to 650 last year," said Lemeul Herbert, general manager, The Park. He blames the bomb hoax for the lukewarm response.

Industry players feel that incidents like these may seriously affect the movement of foreign traffic in the city in the future, which will in turn hit the hotel business.

"If there are future occurrences and the government as well as private organisations do not take vigilant and pro-active measures towards safety and security then it will affect traffic in the city from foreign countries specially," Mukherjee said.

Harbert also expressed similar concern saying, "there is absolutely no doubt it will affect the business if Bangalore is declared as a terrorist attack prone area."