Protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar disrupt corporate travel, hotel bookings and F&B business
Hotels in Delhi are witnessing a sharp decline in occupancies and cancellations of corporate conferences and events amid protests against Chief Election Commissioner , traffic restrictions and heightened security measures. Hotel occupancies have fallen to around 25% from the 75% typically expected in October, according to the Delhi Hotel Association. Properties in Central Delhi are also reporting lower food and beverage sales as travel disruptions deter guests and companies postpone meetings.
The protests have prompted authorities to impose restrictions on movement and metro access in parts of the capital. According to hotel industry representatives, local police stations and authorities have also issued instructions restricting room bookings for certain categories of guests, adding to the operational challenges faced by hotels.
Mohit Shah, general secretary of the Delhi Hotel Association, said average hotel occupancies had fallen to around 25%. His four hotels in Central Delhi recorded occupancies of approximately 22% over the past four days. He added that restrictions on accommodating certain first-time domestic guests remained in place.
The disruption has also affected corporate travel and the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) segment. Simran Sial, a member of the South Delhi Hotel Association, said companies were cancelling conferences, meetings and headquarters visits because of the unrest and difficulties in travelling across the city. A conference scheduled at his hotel on October 10 was cancelled after attendees faced travel problems.
Gajesh Girdhar, chairman of the governing council and a founder member of the Network of Indian MICE Agents, said conferences, training programmes and events, including those organised by pharmaceutical companies, had been deferred or postponed for the next two weeks.
The impact extends beyond room revenue. At Le Méridien New Delhi, restaurant sales have declined by around 20% to 30%, while banqueting events have also faced cancellations, according to chief operating officer Tarun Thakral. He said traffic blockades had inconvenienced guests and affected lunch sales.
The restrictions have also prompted some companies operating in Central Delhi to advise employees to work from home or use offices in other parts of the National Capital Region. The shift has affected corporate movement at a time when hotels typically expect stronger business travel and event activity in October.
With protests, security restrictions and traffic disruptions affecting movement across the capital, hotels are facing pressure on room occupancy, restaurant sales and event bookings. The duration of the disruption is likely to influence how quickly business travel and MICE demand recover.
source : ET
