As the countdown to the much-anticipated India-Pakistan face-off at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in Ahmedabad begins, cricket fans are in for a wallet-draining experience.
Hotels are nearly impossible to secure, and airfares show no mercy.
With just 25 days to go until the big game, the prices of flights into Ahmedabad from all corners of the country have taken off like a rocket, soaring by an eye-watering 415 percent.
Those who had the foresight to book their tickets 25-30 days in advance for flights originating from places like Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Patna, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Pune, and more were enjoying reasonable fares ranging from Rs 5,500 to Rs 12,000 per person for a round trip.
But for the procrastinators among us, the reality check is hitting hard. Booking a ticket to Ahmedabad today for the World Cup matches means shelling out anywhere from 104 percent to 415 percent more than the original fares.
“Planning a visit to Ahmedabad during the match days will definitely hit your wallet hard. We’ve heard of a few hotels here charging as much as Rs 80,000 per room per night due to the surging demand. With limited flights available, it’s no surprise that airfares are on the rise,” a local travel operator commented.
Curiously, this surge in airfares hasn’t spread to other matches, including the opening game, qualifiers, or the final. Travel operators are now appealing to airlines to consider adding extra flights.
“People from around the world, including fans, supporters, sponsors, and journalists, are gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying game. Airlines should seriously think about putting more flights into action from October 13-16 to meet this soaring demand, ensuring passengers traveling to and from Ahmedabad benefit,” stressed Anuj Pathak, President of the Travel Agents and Tour Operators’ Association of Gujarat (TAG).
As the city gets ready for the influx of cricket enthusiasts, hotels are preparing to roll out the welcome mat. “Sponsors, cricket fans, and VIPs have already secured their stay with us, and the enthusiasm is reaching a fever pitch. The four matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup being held in the city are expected to bring a substantial boost to the hospitality sector in Ahmedabad, making for a promising start to the third quarter,” shared Keenan McKenzie, General Manager of ITC Narmada.
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