–An Article by Poojan Patel
The cricketing world is abuzz with anticipation as the Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2023 finals approach, promising a dazzling spectacle both on and off the field. The list of star-studded guests attending the event reads like a who’s who, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar, renowned musicians including Dua Lipa, Pritam Chakraborty, and Aditya Gadhavi, and a host of other celebrities adding to the grandeur.
However, the excitement surrounding the event is not limited to the cricket ground, as a surge in demand for hospitality services has sent prices soaring. According to a recent report, hotel and flight rates across the venues for matches featuring India have seen a staggering increase. On match days, average hotel rates have spiked by 150%, with select hotels experiencing an 80% increase in flight fares compared to the week prior to match day. For some, the escalation is even more dramatic, reaching up to 13 times for hotels and 5 times for flights.
The financial impact is most pronounced in Ahmedabad, the venue for the World Cup finals. Hotel tariffs have reached unprecedented levels, with base category rooms costing up to 29 times the peak season average daily rate. Five-star hotels, which typically charge between Rs 6,500-12,500 plus taxes, are retailing between Rs 25,000-2 lakh plus taxes during this high-demand weekend.
The surge in demand for accommodations is attributed to the diverse array of attendees expected in Ahmedabad. From cricket team members, officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and the International Cricket Council (ICC) to media persons, team sponsors, corporate tycoons, VVIPs, celebrities, and cricket fans from around the world – the city is set to host a melting pot of cricket enthusiasts.
Notably, over 100 private jets are anticipated to flood the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, with the number of non-scheduled charter aircraft movements expected to rise to 100 over the next two days. This influx is in addition to the 250-300 scheduled aircraft movements handled by the airport regularly. The city airport operator has collaborated with counterparts from other cities to manage the parking and logistical challenges posed by the surge in private jet traffic.
The impact on air travel is equally significant, with last-minute airfares from major cities like Mumbai and Delhi skyrocketing up to 300%, reaching Rs 43,000 and Rs 31,000, respectively, for flights to Ahmedabad. Similar spikes of at least 150-200% are observed for flights from other cities.
As the cricket fever grips the nation, it’s not just the players and fans who are caught up in the excitement. The convergence of political figures, sports legends, business tycoons, Bollywood celebrities, and musicians promises to make the CWC 2023 finals a star-studded affair for the ages. While the cricketing action on the field is sure to be gripping, the off-field extravagance and the economic ripples it creates highlight the unmatched allure of a Cricket World Cup final in the world’s cricket-crazy nation.
