Summit Hotels & Resorts has reported a strong start to FY2026-27, recording nearly 40% growth in business during April and May, driven by sustained demand across the Eastern Himalayan region and increasing preference for branded regional hospitality experiences.
The company sold over 37,000 room nights during the first two months of the financial year, while portfolio occupancy reached 78.9%. Average room rates crossed ₹6,000, reflecting improved pricing power across key leisure destinations.
According to the company, destinations in Sikkim and the Darjeeling Hills emerged as the strongest contributors to growth, supported by repeat visitors and rising demand for premium mountain retreats. The performance was achieved despite a temporary slowdown in travel activity during the West Bengal Assembly election period.
Commenting on the performance, Sumit Mitruka, CEO, Summit Hotels & Resorts, said, “We entered the year expecting healthy demand, but the pace of bookings has been stronger than anticipated. What stands out is not just occupancy levels but travellers’ continued preference for these destinations despite temporary disruptions. The demand for experiential leisure travel remains robust and is translating into both room revenue and increased guest spending.”
The company also reported healthy growth in food and beverage revenues, while maintaining strong guest satisfaction scores across its operating markets.
Building on this momentum, Summit Hotels is expanding beyond its traditional owned and managed hotel portfolio in the Eastern Himalayas. The company is actively pursuing partnerships with independent hotels, boutique resorts, heritage properties, wildlife lodges, and spiritual retreats across India.
The partnership model is designed to provide independent hotel owners with access to organised distribution, professional revenue management, digital marketing support, technology platforms, and hospitality manpower resources, while allowing them to retain ownership and operational control of their properties.
Unlike conventional affiliation models that often involve significant upfront investments, Summit’s framework focuses on a shared-growth approach, enabling local hospitality businesses to benefit from brand support without losing their unique identity.
Having completed 18 years in the hospitality industry, Summit believes there is significant potential within India’s large base of independent hotels that possess strong local appeal but limited access to national distribution networks and professional hospitality systems.
With booking momentum continuing into June and advance reservations already approaching last year’s levels, the company remains optimistic about sustained demand across leisure and destination travel markets in the coming quarters.
