With just 25 days remaining until the highly anticipated World Cup 2023 clash between cricket rivals India and Pakistan in Ahmedabad, fans are discovering that their travel plans are facing steep challenges. Hotel accommodations are becoming as elusive as a tricky leg-spinner, and flight prices to Ahmedabad have taken off like a soaring six, reaching a staggering 415 percent higher than usual.
For those who have procrastinated in making their travel arrangements, the reality is hitting hard. Booking a flight to Ahmedabad for the World Cup matches today means parting with a wallet-wrenching 104 percent to 415 percent more than the original fares, which ranged from 5,000 to 12,000 rupees.
However, travelers who had the foresight to secure their tickets 25 to 30 days in advance from cities such as Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Patna, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Pune, and others enjoyed the advantage of reasonable fares ranging from 5,500 to 12,000 rupees per person for a round trip.
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“Planning a visit to Ahmedabad during the match days will definitely hit your wallet hard. We’ve heard of a few hotels here charging as much as 80,000 rupees per room per night due to the surging demand. With limited flights available, it’s no surprise that airfares are on the rise,” commented a local travel operator, as reported by News 18.
Flight ticket 🎫 price is up by 400% during India & Pakistan World Cup match in Ahmedabad
Mumbai to Ahd – 16785
Delhi to Ahd – 24258
Chandigarh to Ahd – 43833
Lucknow to Ahd – 37457
Pune to Ahd – 15504— Parth Shah (@motabhailikes) September 21, 2023
Interestingly, this surge in airfares seems to be unique to the India-Pakistan showdown, as other matches, including the opening game, qualifiers, and the final, remain relatively unaffected. Travel operators are now urgently appealing to airlines to consider adding extra flights to meet the escalating demand.
“People from around the world, including fans, supporters, sponsors, and journalists, are gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying game. Airlines should seriously think about putting more flights into action from October 13-16 to meet this soaring demand, ensuring passengers traveling to and from Ahmedabad benefit,” emphasized Anuj Pathak, President of the Travel Agents and Tour Operators Association of Gujarat (TAG).
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As the city of Ahmedabad prepares for an influx of cricket enthusiasts, hotels are also gearing up to welcome guests with open arms. “Sponsors, cricket fans, and VIPs have already secured their stay with us, and the enthusiasm is reaching a fever pitch. The four matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup being held in the city are expected to bring a substantial boost to the hospitality sector in Ahmedabad, making for a promising start to the third quarter,” shared Keenan McKenzie, General Manager of ITC Narmada.
