Bangalore, the software centre of India is getting better air links with Europe and the outside world. Until now travellers have had to rely on Lufthansa, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways or irregular Air India services. From October 30, British Airways and Air France will launch five times a week direct flights from London Heathrow and Paris CDG respectively. At the same time Northwest and KLM will begin operating a joint service from Amsterdam. Passengers using these airlines' hubs can make connections to elsewhere in Europe plus North America and Africa.
But travellers arriving in Bangalore will be faced with an acute accommodation shortage with room rates at four and five star hotels having rocketed by 42 per cent over the past year. It means that short notice bookings are problematic and hotels charge London prices. According to global travel agency chain BTI, Bangalore's hotel rates are the third highest in the world after Moscow and Rome. According to BTI's CEO in India Vijay Chadda, "This is hardly surprising as hotels in Bangalore get whatever prices they want since demand far outstrips supply." Says expat interior design consultant Carlito Lo Sosito, "Even smaller, less comfortable hotels can now get away with charging an arm and a leg. We tell our clients visiting us here to let us know at least a week ahead otherwise we won't be able to accommodate them."
The Leela Palace, widely regarded as the city's best hotel, has "rates ranging between US$350 and $450 with the average price being $400 all plus 10 per cent tax," says sales executive Amit Reddy. The Leela is building a 140-room extension but it won't be ready until April 2006. Other options for business people include the ITC Sheraton Windsor, The Taj, and Oberoi.
The room shortage has prompted some firms to build accommodation blocks for visitors and staff. Other executives have no option but to commute in from Chennai or Hyderabad some 200 or 300 miles away.
The situation should ease from 2007 when Shangri La, Marriott, Hyatt and ITC Sheraton plan to add a raft of new properties.
www.theleela.com www.ba.com www.klm.com www.airfrance.com
Report by Alex McWhirter
