-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org)
The Hotel Association of India (HAI) has issued an official statement addressing recent reports regarding exorbitant hotel room pricing in Delhi during the upcoming AI Impact Summit. Following a meeting with the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the association sought to provide a realistic picture of market dynamics, countering claims that standard rooms were being quoted at several lakhs per night.
A survey of member hotels conducted by HAI revealed that weighted average room rates actually range between ₹40,000 and ₹60,000 per night for the summit period. The association clarified that the extremely high rates cited in recent news often reflect luxury suites and presidential categories rather than standard rooms.
HAI emphasized that a significant portion of Delhi’s hotel inventory was contracted months in advance at pre-negotiated rates for delegates. The current surge is attributed to a combination of high-profile events, including the summit, the Cricket World Cup, and a heavy wedding season, which has pushed the city toward full occupancy.
Statement from HAI: “Global events such as the AI Impact Summit naturally create a surge in demand… Numbers reported at this point are incorrect and out of context. The limited inventory currently available is largely confined to luxury and suite categories and is being priced in line with the usual market dynamics during periods of exceptionally high demand.”
The association added that while it does not mandate business pricing for members, it is engaging with them to ensure India remains a “credible, world-class host” by safeguarding guest interests and assisting visiting dignitaries.
