Mumbai hotels booked to capacity

Hotels in Mumbai have been booked to full capacity as the city prepares to host the Cricket World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Nearly 20 per cent of the total bookings took place when the World Cup entered its final stages, with an increase in bookings coming through ever since India defeated Pakistan in a closely fought semi-final, according to the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI).

Apart from the economy rooms and other hotels that come under the unorganised sector, there are around 8,000-odd rooms available in Mumbai.

Around 75 per cent of the rooms were regular bookings, according to Mr Kamlesh Barot, President, HRAWI.

Hotels full booked

Hotels like Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Oberoi, Trident, The Diplomat (all in South Mumbai and close to the stadium), amongst others, are booked to their full capacity. Even smaller hotels close to the Wankhede stadium, are getting fully booked, added Mr Barot.

There has also been a heavy deployment of security including commandos and paramilitary forces at the Taj Palace and Towers, where the Indian and Sri Lankan teams are staying.

But this hasn't caused any disruption in the business of the hotel, according to a spokesperson of Taj Hotels.

Hotels near airport

The booking rush has been seen not just in South Mumbai, but also the hotels near the airport.

The Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport (HIMIA) has been completely booked owing to the final.

“Even as the reservations were made over a period of last two weeks, several reservations were made after India won the semifinal against Pakistan in Mohali,” said Mr Samit Ganguly, Director of Sales and Marketing of HIMIA.

Most of Mumbai's three, four and five star hotels and economy hotels were fully booked ahead of the Cricket World Cup final.

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