A City at Full Capacity
With the summit just days away, Delhi's hotel industry is experiencing an unprecedented demand surge. Luxury hotels across Central Delhi and Aerocity are reporting near-total occupancy, with some completely sold out for the summit period. More than 3,000
rooms across the city have been reserved to accommodate foreign delegations and officials. This rush is driven by the arrival of heads of state, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with thousands of diplomats, security personnel, and international media. The result is a major business boom for the hospitality sector, but it also puts the city's infrastructure under immense pressure.
Room Rates Reach New Highs
The intense demand has sent hotel tariffs skyrocketing. Rooms that would typically cost around ₹15,000 a night are now being quoted at prices exceeding ₹70,000, and in some exclusive cases, reaching as high as ₹2.3 lakh per night. Several of the city’s most prominent hotels, including the Taj Mahal, The Oberoi, and ITC Maurya, have extremely limited or no availability left. The ITC Maurya, for instance, listed rooms for the summit period at approximately ₹2.33 lakh for a single night. This price inflation isn't confined to five-star properties; hotels across the National Capital Region (NCR) are seeing a spillover effect, with increased bookings and higher rates as regular travelers seek alternatives.
Hotels Turned Fortresses
Security is the other side of the coin. Delhi has been placed under a multi-layered security blanket, with hotels hosting dignitaries becoming temporary fortresses. Around 15,000 police personnel and 200 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed across the capital. Major hotels like the Taj Mahal, Oberoi, and The LaLiT are not just providing accommodation but have become secure diplomatic hubs. Each hotel hosting VVIPs has a dedicated security team, often led by NSG officials, and is under constant surveillance with over 500 new CCTV cameras, including those with facial and license plate recognition technology. This level of security is essential for an event attended by high-profile world leaders but means significant restrictions for other guests and the public.
A Taste of Indian Hospitality
Beyond security, hotels are curating a unique experience for their high-profile guests, seeing it as an opportunity to showcase Indian hospitality. Many establishments are preparing special menus with a focus on Indian cuisine, particularly dishes made from traditional grains like millets, jowar, and barley. The Leela Palace, for example, is preparing to host delegates from five countries with specially curated menus that cater to dietary requirements shared in advance by the delegations. Some hotels have even seen visiting security teams place trust in their in-house chefs, a departure from the earlier practice of flying in their own culinary staff. Iconic restaurants like Bukhara and Dum Pukht are on high alert, prepared for unplanned visits from VVIPs.
Impact on the Average Traveller
For ordinary tourists and business travelers, the BRICS summit presents a significant challenge. The combination of sold-out rooms and exorbitant prices makes finding accommodation in central parts of the city nearly impossible. Many are being forced to look for options in the wider NCR, such as in Gurugram and Noida, or consider lower-category hotels. Traffic restrictions are also in effect to facilitate VVIP movement, causing potential delays and disruptions for residents and visitors alike. Authorities have advised the public to check traffic advisories and plan their travel accordingly, with Delhi Metro even starting its services earlier on Sunday to ease the commute for students and the general public.
