The hospitality industry is poised for a remarkable resurgence post-Covid, with Ahmedabad set to become a hotspot for cricket enthusiasts. The city is gearing up to host five matches of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, commencing next month. This cricket extravaganza has led to a substantial surge in accommodation costs, both in traditional hotels and on platforms like Airbnb.
Hoteliers in Ahmedabad have substantially inflated their room rates, with some establishments raising prices by up to tenfold. Even Airbnb listings reflect this trend, with some properties commanding rates that have skyrocketed by as much as twentyfold for the day of the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, scheduled for October 14.
As an illustrative example, a property advertised on Airbnb as being a mere 250 meters from the stadium is listed as “Motera Cricket Stadium home furnished 6 bed-2 BHK,” with a nightly rate of Rs 81,000. To sweeten the deal, the host, Rishav Poddar, is offering complimentary transportation from the stadium to the property.
This 6,000-square-foot villa boasts three bedrooms and additional spaces to accommodate guests. While the property’s regular rate is Rs 35,000 per night, booking it for the matchday on October 14 will cost a staggering Rs 1,21,500. Dynamic pricing strategies are in full swing, with hosts adjusting rates based on demand and searches on Airbnb. Jainam Shah, another host in Sanand, has increased the usual nightly rate of his villa from Rs 19,371 to Rs 55,000 for October 13 and 14, aligning with the demand surge.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 will take place in India
Ahmedabad’s hosting of an ICC event for the first time, coupled with marquee matches, such as England vs. New Zealand on October 5 and high-stakes India vs. Pakistan clash on October 14, has fueled this pricing frenzy. Additional matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium include England vs. Australia on November 4, South Africa vs. Afghanistan on November 10, and the final on November 19.
Notably, this price surge isn’t limited to Airbnb alone; hotels are equally capitalizing on the cricket fever. For instance, the Hillock Hotel, located between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, usually charges Rs 7,000-15,000 per night. However, during the matches, they are hiking rates to Rs 50,000-55,000, doubling the cost on the day of the India-Pakistan showdown.
Hoteliers anticipate a surge in occupancy, with some hotels aiming to achieve 100 percent occupancy during matchdays, a considerable increase from their typical rates. In conclusion, Ahmedabad’s hosting of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 has led to an unprecedented spike in accommodation costs, both in hotels and on Airbnb.
This pricing frenzy is driven by the city’s first-time hosting of an ICC event and the allure of high-profile cricket clashes, especially the India vs. Pakistan match. As cricket fans flock to the city, they’ll need to dig deep into their pockets to secure a place to stay amidst the cricket craze.
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