Ushering in new year: Silicon

Ushering in new year: Silicon
Bangalore, C S Hemanth, dhns:
The Garden City with its umpteen business opportunities might be at the top of the IT radar but low on the travellers list.

Low room occupancy rate in most City hotels during Christmas and year-end season is proof to this.

The 4,000-plus rooms available in star hotels have not seen many occupants during the season, unlike those in other cities, where tourists throng in large numbers.

“The occupancy rate during the holidays, from December 15 to January 5, is comparatively lower than the rest of the year or the winter season. There has been a decline in corporate travel both from the international and domestic sector, as Bangalore is primarily a business destination. Also, because most of the offices shut down for holidays during this time,” an official spokesperson from The Oberoi told Deccan Herald.

Moreover, low occupancy rate has been attributed to a decline in the number of international tourists who visit Bangalore on business.

Also, most hotels reported that the room occupancy rate during the period from December 15 to January 5 would be around 60 to 70 per cent, which is lower than the average. It is said to be lesser than the rest of December’s average occupancy rate which stands at 85 to 90 per cent.

Heading home

“A majority of the occupants in these hotels are international tourists and expats who contribute about 84 per cent of the occupancy rate. This being Christmas and New Year time, many of them have headed home. Normally during this time, we depend on domestic tourists,” said Shambu Paul, manager (sales and marketing), St Marks Hotel.

Many of the hotels also said that the occupancy rate has been slightly higher when compared to last year, due to special packages on offer.

“The special packages have contributed to an healthy occupancy rate during this season, otherwise there are not many corporate customers. However, customers from the leisure and wedding segments too have been able to fill up a few rooms,” said a manager, south region, Taj Group of Hotels.