Several upscale hotels in the area claim that business was greater over the holiday season of 2022 than it was in 2019. In comparison to the year prior to Covid, more hotel rooms were reserved, more restaurant orders were filled, and more banquet events were held.
Off the EM Bypass, the Hyatt Regency recorded “an gain of roughly 20 to 22 percent (from Puja 2019)” in both occupancy and rates. After a break of two and a half years, “this year, we observed a lot of individuals coming back (from other states and countries). The Hyatt Regency’s general manager, Kumar Shobhan, stated they resided with their families. Many Kolkata families celebrated Puja from October 1 to October 5 entirely at the hotel.
“We have had people check in on September 30 and check out on October 8 or 9. During that period, we saw their family members coming to the hotel. They had booked one room and then added on another because they were joined in by family members,”
Since the Covid numbers began to decline in the summer, signs of a turnaround have been appearing. “We began operating at 2019 levels of business in April 2022. We exceeded 2019 in May. Every month after that had extremely encouraging numbers. According to Sumeet Suri, general manager of JW Marriott, Kolkata, growth during the holiday season “surpassed 2019 on all parameters—room revenue, occupancy, food and beverage.”
The hotels had a creepy atmosphere during the lockdown because to the dark, empty banquet halls, shrouded chandeliers, and dusty sofas. Once more, people are staying in the rooms, there is activity in the banquets, and housekeepers are parading along the hallways.
The number of staycations skyrockets throughout the holiday season. In fact, some hotel owners said that it was time to “work” on the prices. “We are addressing the pricing aspect. Every single market is. We have actually sold the hotels for a cheap price over the past two years. The time improves quality and put the spotlight back on our luxury market, according to a senior hotelier.
The pre-Covid level of international travel has not yet been reached in Kolkata.
Despite this, others assert that the rise in hotel reservations shows domestic travellers are making larger purchases.
Some hoteliers claim that one of the Puja’s winners was the food and beverage sector.
Many hotels maintained later hours, serving dinner until late at night and serving lunch until early evening.
We had to serve lunch until five o’clock on Puja days.
The meal was eaten until three in the morning.
According to Suri of JW Marriott, the food and beverage sector has grown by 20 to 30 percent in 2019.
Vijay Shrikent, the general manager of Taj Bengal, cited a “excellent upswing.”
“The whole business experienced a significant upswing during Durga Puja.
The earnings over the Durga Puja period were greater than what we observed in 2019.
There is a lot of positive energy among the tourists, and there was a lot of foot activity in all of our specialty businesses, he said.
If the bookings are any sign, the upcoming wedding season will be a busy one.
Most premium hotels asserted they were already fully booked with weddings through February. Hotel hiring has been halted by the pandemic. Many hotels frequently used furloughs of contract employees and, in rare circumstances, permanent workers.
Now that things are moving up, more hands are needed.
Hoteliers claim that hiring is once again soaring. Suborno Bose, the founder and principal mentor of the Hotel Management Institute, said that this year’s placements were “the strongest we have seen in a decade.”