Delhi hotel chains see a dip in occupancies due to runway closure

The alarming levels of smog and pollution and the closure of the runway at the Delhi airport will likely affect the itineraries of incoming travellers in the busiest tourist season for the Indian capital, where the winter is gradually setting in.

Hotel chains such as Carlson Rezidor, which runs the Radisson, and Country Inn and Suites, the STIC Travel Group, portals Cleartrip and Yatra, and Cox & Kings said the surge in flight fares and pollution will lead to inevitable cancellations and a dip in hotel and flight occupancies in the coming days, with travellers rerouting itineraries and, possibly, opting out of Delhi.

The UK has updated its travel advisory for India citing the runway closure at Delhi airport, which may lead to flight delays and cancellations.

“The runway closure has led to travel disruption for next two days and travellers are postponing plans by a few days to avoid paying exorbitant fares,” said John Nair, head of business travel, Cox & Kings.

Subhash Goyal, founder chairman of STIC Travel Group, said while group tours have not been affected yet, inbound individual overseas travellers are cancelling and postponing their Delhi plans, citing concerns around smog and air pollution. “This will significantly dent plans in coming days.”