The growing demand of hotel rooms in Amritsar has come across as a great business opportunity and to cash on it, major national and international hospitality chains are planning to set up their properties in the city. These major hospitality brands include Radisson Group, Holiday Inn and Taj Properties. Hospitality expert say that the need has been felt for quality rooms as demanded by the NRI community and foreigners, besides high-end domestic tourists. IHHR Hospitality Private Limited, a prominent player in hospitality sector, has announced the opening of its five-star luxury hotel, Ista, in Amritsar.
Narbir Singh, X-Cell Hotel Consultancy President, said that being one of India’s most popular religious tourist destinations, Amritsar had vast untapped potential in the area of hospitality and some 200-250 good quality rooms remained in demand always, especially in the five-star category, from foreigners and NRIs. He added that in order to serve that segment, major chains were planning to set up their properties in the city. With better infrastructure coming up in Amritsar, they are expecting that NRIs would like to stay in the city for 2-3 days, in order to enjoy their visit to Golden Temple, Wagah border, Durgiana temple, etc.
Singh also shared that in absence of good quality rooms; people used to come in the morning and preferred going back the same day. Experts feel that since Amritsar is well connected with international flights, great tourism business can be generated in and around the city. Gunbir Singh, Chairman - Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Punjab State Council, said that in 2007, they had projected about 2,500 rooms to be added in Amritsar alone, in the next three years, but his perception was they were going to exceed the target. He wished that government would encourage the industry and also promote the tourism sector in Punjab.
