Hotels start offering apex packagesOur Regional Bureau / Panaji/Goa March 22, 2006After the aviation and telecom sectors, it is now the turn of the hotel industry to slash tariffs and attract domestic tourists during the summer season.Major resorts in Goa have announced apex rates that could make five-star comfort affordable at three-star tariffs. However, the revised prices will only be available on a first-come-first-served basis.From rates ranging between Rs 4,500 and Rs 30,000, five-star hotels have revised their tariffs to between Rs 1,550 and Rs 2,500 per day, which includes breakfast and taxes.While tour operators are busy working out special holiday packages, hotels are also pushing their schemes. Even as some five-star hotels have already come up with offers, others want to wait-and-watch the scenario before announcing bonanzas.The Taj Group of Hotels has slashed prices by as much as 50% in select cities, and their offer begins from Rs 1,250. "The packages are designed to attract customers who were earlier deprived of the five-star luxury stay," says Sandhya Kunjur, Director (Marketing) of Taj Hotels."Apex fares are the in-thing now, and we also plan to offer them on a first-come-first-serve basis. Even if our competitors slash their rates, they will not be able to compete with the destinations we have on offer."The Leela, which introduced the apex fare scheme in the industry last year, is ready with its `Grand Summer Beach Sale' for Goa and Kovalam, Kerala that commenced from February 16 and offers a rate of Rs 1,650 per night. Says Sanjoy Basricha, Vice-President (Sales and Marketing) of Leela Palace and Resorts, "This year, we plan to expand our market with our innovative schemes."Reacting to the announcement of apex tariffs by competitors, Jaideep Khanna, director of marketing of Park Hyatt, Goa, said: "Like every year, we will continue to have our Timeless Moments offer during summer and monsoons. We will come up with offers after conducting a research on customer-buying patterns."Says Abhishek Nath, president (operations) of La Calypso Resort, Goa: "The hospitality industry is witnessing a boom, and there is room for everyone to grow. The rates floated by five-star hotels will not have a major impact on our business."La Calypso, a three-star resort, offers a wide range of packages from Rs 1,500 to Rs 6,000. "Our packages are specially planned depending on the number of days you want to stay. The more days you stay, more discounts you get,
