International Film Festival of Kerala fills budget hotels, few go for luxury ones

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thanks to the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), budget lodges and guest houses across the city recorded a satisfactory level of occupancy despite dull business caused by demonetisation. However, upmarket hotels barring a few around Thampanoor and those run by the government did not reap the benefit of the film festival. “We have almost cent per cent occupancy due to our proximity to KSFDC theatres near Aristo junction. Business was down by around 20 per cent due to demonetisation. IFFK is on till December 16. Then we have peak season bookings from December 20 to January 3 to help us sail smoothly,” said an staffer at a luxury hotel near Model school junction.

According to Kiran Kumar, General Manager of SFS Homebridge, IFFK would not be enough to cover the cancellations caused by demonetisation. “We hardly have two-three guests who are IFFK officials. The delegates are mostly youngsters and students who settle for budget hotels. Demonetisation has brought down our business by 25 per cent because travellers barring our corporate customers are not coming to the capital due to the lack of cash,” Mr Kumar said.

Delegates, when asked by Deccan Chronicle, said that they did not need fancy accommodation since they left in the morning and stayed out all day. “I could have afforded a place that cost around Rs 1500 but I have settled for less than half that price at Manjalikulam road. We are in theatres from morning to night and just need a bed to sleep,” said Hassan Mohammad a delegate from Kozhikode.