World Cup 2023: Hospitals, university, wedding halls turn lodges in Ahmedabad

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Ahmedabad, at the Tera Panth Community Hall in the Shahibaug area, a curious transformation is underway. The usually serene venue, often reserved for community events like weddings and social gatherings, is now hustling and bustling with preparations.

Why, you ask? It's all in the spirit of cricket, as the ICC Men's World Cup kicks off tomorrow, attracting cricket fans to the city. This unassuming places like community hall, hospitals, university are swiftly becoming the go-to place for fans seeking lodging during the world cup matches, a TOI report stated.

Abhay Pratap Singh, the facility's manager, shared the details of their World Cup preparations.

«We've readied 22 out of the available 28 rooms for daily occupancy,» he stated. «The room rates have soared, reaching up to Rs 1,500 for single occupancy.

Inquiries have started pouring in, but we've advised prospective guests to confirm bookings at least a week in advance.» With the city's conventional accommodations, such as hotels and homestays, fully booked for high-stake matches like India versus Pakistan, it's unusual venues like community halls and even hospitals that are stepping up to meet the overwhelming demand.

The Federation of Hotels and Restaurants' Association (FHRA) in Gujarat estimates that Ahmedabad will host a substantial influx of visitors, ranging from 30,000 to 40,000 individuals. This includes cricket enthusiasts from India and abroad, as well as sponsors, members of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, media personnel, teams, and other distinguished guests.

Surprisingly, even hospitals are joining in on this unique accommodation trend.