Hoteliers see ringing registers during F1
With sports becoming one of the major drivers of tourism in India, the hospitality sector also stands to gain a lot from it. This is reflected in the performance of hotels during the third F1 in India. Most hotels in Greater Noida were sold-out during the
As the Formula One drivers were seen in action at India’s F1 Grand Prix at Greater Noida in October, it seems all roads are now leading to India. Backed by the CWG in Delhi in 2010, a new beginning for international sports tourism was witnessed in the country. And as the fortunes of the hospitality industry have always been linked to the prospects of the tourism industry, sports tourism holds a lot of potential for getting business to the hotels.
Informs Manju Sharma, Director, Jaypee Hotels, “Jaypee Greens Golf and Spa Resort hosted the Formula1 management and key Formula 1 teams for the third consecutive year in October this year. Most VIPs and key F1 drivers have been staying at the property every year. Even the service teams at the
Such events add credibility and also showcase our capabilities on the global map
resort have become familiar with these dignitaries, their likes and dislikes, food habits,
The region will gain big time as it positions itself as the new sports hub near Delhi
daily schedules and workout needs.” Regarding preparations at the hotel in terms of
The hotels are fairly booked to capacity through the month of October
security, Sharma affirms, “During the F1 period, several layers of security were added to ensure safety, security and privacy.” Talking about the potential of sports tourism for getting business to the hotels, she opines, “Such high-scale international events not only add credibility to Indian hospitality but also showcase our capabilities on the global map.”
During the most recent F1 in Delhi NCR, what is interesting is that a few hotels have not just raked in money during the event, but they have already started negotiating deals for getting business during the F1 games of March 2015.
Says Greesh Bindra, GM, Crowne Plaza, Greater Noida, “We recently unveiled the property to cash in on the F1 games. We are a 400room hotel and opened with around 170 rooms in the first phase. We were completely sold out for the F1 race. The entire Ferrari team stayed here during the event.” Bindra opines, “With the brilliant roads where you can literally escape the traffic jams of Delhi, this region is not considered far from South or Central Delhi. Going forward, the hotel is already in talks for garnering business for the fourth F1 that will take place in March 2015.”
According to Scott Thomson, General Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton New Delhi-Noida-Mayur Vihar and Hilton New Delhi-Noida-Mayur Vihar, both the upscale hotels in Mayur Vihar are one of the closest hotels to the race tracks. “The hotels are fairly booked to capacity throughout October. The hotels have been growing in business year- on-year. Nonetheless, the business has been at the same levels as last year (same period) due to added room inventory in the local market,” he adds.