BACK ON THE ROAD

As corporate travel sees resurgence, travellers are paying a closer look at cleaning protocols and tech-enabled solutions at hotels, in addition to flexibile booking policies

- PRANITA BHOSALE

City-based hotels had a great run from 2013 to 2019. Those in Mumbai posted an average 77% occupancy in 2019, according to STR, witnessing a steady 1% to 2% increase in full-year occupancy annually since the preceding five years.

However, these properties faced tough times after the pandemic struck, with occupancy dipping to 14.5% in April 2020. While these levels picked up gradually, the highest level was still 56.8% in February 2021. Following the second wave, it came down to 37.2% in April 2021.

Hotels in Mumbai were not alone in this calamitious condition – other city-based hotels, too, saw their occupancy and revenues fall drastically in the past 19 months.

CONSCIENTIOUS TRAVEL

Fortunately, the tide seems to be turning. Corporate India is back to travelling for work with 100% recovery across pharma, healthcare, real estate and biotech sectors on MakeMyTrip. The online booking platform noted a significant recovery in several sectors including manufacturing, defense and space, logistics as well as utilities with professionals returning to travel for business.

City-based hoteliers are seeing an uptick in corporate and group demand as more corporate professionals and entrepreneurs hit the road. On the even of the launch of ibis Mumbai Vikhroli, Anant Leekha, Cluster General Manager for this property and ibis Navi Mumbai is confident about a significant step-up in business travel as more workers return to the office.