Delhi Hotels Reel Under Crisis After Red Fort Blast; 30% Bookings Cancelled Amid Safety Fears

New Delhi: The repercussions of the blast near the Red Fort are now echoing through Delhi’s hospitality sector, with hotel owners reporting a sharp dip in occupancy. Fearful of security risks, nearly 30% of domestic and international tourists have cancelled their advance bookings, leaving several hotel rooms vacant during what is traditionally the busiest season of the year.

Peak Season Turns Into a Slump

Normally, hotel business in Delhi picks up after the monsoon, with September to January considered the peak tourist season. This period especially attracts large numbers of foreign travellers who book their stays months in advance.

However, according to the Delhi Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association, the recent blast has dramatically shifted the scenario. Association President Lovleen Anand revealed that even a week after the explosion, several hotels remained empty—an unusual and alarming trend that has caused heavy financial strain for hoteliers.

Tourists Back Out Despite Advisory

In response to the situation, the association issued a security advisory to strengthen hotel safety measures and assure tourists. The advisory emphasised:

• Enhanced surveillance
• Immediate reporting of suspicious objects or persons
• Tighter security checks across hotel premises

Despite these measures, 30% of bookings have been cancelled, with a majority of cancellations coming from foreign tourists. Hoteliers say that even domestic travellers from different states are choosing to postpone or drop their travel plans.

Karol Bagh hotelier Sanjay Mishra confirmed that cancellations are widespread across all categories of hotels.

Hotels and Markets Both Hit Hard

Association Chairman Sandeep Khandelwal said that this year has been particularly damaging for the hospitality industry, with both the blast and severe pollution contributing to record-level losses. Unlike previous years—when hotels were fully booked during the Trade Fair season—many properties now have a significant number of empty rooms.

The impact has spilled over to local businesses as well. Auto-parts trader Chandra Bhushan Gupta shared that the blast has hurt the automobile market too, with declining footfall and reduced sales.