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India is banking on its hosting of a Formula One Grand Prix to be a boon for tourism, yet hotel shortages and airline price increases may cause headaches for fans intent on travelling to the sport's newest frontier.
The Buddh International Circuit was given a clearance by top F1 bosses last month, with FIA race director Charlie Whiting recommending only minor alterations to the 5.14-kilometer track ahead of the inaugural race on Oct. 30.
With the track seemingly in order, attention has turned to the logistics of hosting sport's biggest travelling circus and tens of thousands of visiting fans.
The location of the track is problematical, as Greater Noida, 40 kilometers from New Delhi, is a new suburb with only a handful of decent hotels. Those in the adjoining area of Noida are full for the period and a long commute through the dense traffic from New Delhi is the only option left.
Rooms with a tariff of around 6,000 rupees ($130) have generally gone for 9,000 rupees ($200) or more and it has also resulted in super luxury suites priced at around 40,000 rupees ($950) being booked well in advance.
Greater Noida and Noida boast of just over a dozen hotels with a rating of three stars and above and it is no surprise that rooms have been sold out. Airfares too have seen a surge upward of at least 25 per cent from different Indian cities with those from Mumbai doubling from the normal average of 7,000 rupees ($155) to 14,000 rupees ($ 310)
Private enterprise Jaypee Group has invested $ 215 million at the venue and procured 10-year rights for the Indian F1 race but other investors may take time before taking a plunge.
AP
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