After a rapid decline due to a second Covid-19 wave, India’s hotel industry has seen a continued increase in occupancy due to the progressive approach to vaccinations in key markets across the country, according to preliminary data and analysis from STR.

India’s daily occupancy sat in the 20 to 30% range in early June but improved by the end of the month with several days closer to 35% and an outlier of 50.5% on 26 June. In July, the country took another step forward, with most days in the 40-60% range and a peak of 63.2% on 17 July.

“The progressive approach to vaccinations has led to an increase in travellers and hotel demand – leisure demand continues to drive this growth,” said STR’s business development manager for central and South Asia, Vidhi Godiawala. “Beyond the noticeable improvement, we have seen a different trend in where the country is regaining occupancy. Whereas India’s first recovery earlier this year was concentrated in leisure destinations, such as Goa, heavily populated markets such as Nueva Delhi and Mumbai have seen improvement in this latest rebound.”

Mumbai’s daily occupancy reached as high as 77.9% on 26 June. New Delhi occupancy improved to as high as 79.7% on 17 July. Those were each market’s highest daily levels in 2021.

STR continues to monitor the COVID-19 impact and recovery on global hotel industry performance.