Siliguri : Summit Hotels & Resorts has begun FY2026-27 with nearly 40% growth in business during April and May, a performance the company attributes to sustained demand for leisure destinations across the Eastern Himalayas and growing consumer preference for branded regional hospitality players.
The hospitality group sold more than 37,000 room nights during the first two months of the financial year, with portfolio occupancy reaching 78.9%. Average room rates crossed ₹6,000, reflecting stronger pricing power across key markets. The performance comes despite a temporary slowdown in travel activity in parts of eastern India during the West Bengal Assembly election period. According to the company, destinations across Sikkim and the Darjeeling Hills emerged as the biggest contributors to growth, supported by repeat travellers and increasing demand for premium mountain stays.
“We entered the year expecting healthy demand, but the pace of bookings has been stronger than anticipated,” said Sumit Mitruka, CEO, Summit Hotels & Resorts. “What stands out is not just the occupancy but the ability of travellers to continue choosing these destinations despite temporary disruptions. The appetite for experiential leisure travel remains strong, and we are seeing that translate into both room revenue and higher spending within our hotels,” he added.
Food and beverage revenues also recorded healthy growth during the period, while guest review scores remained among the highest in its operating markets. The strong start comes at a time when Summit is broadening its business beyond owned and managed assets in the Eastern Himalayas.
As part of its next phase of growth, the company is actively pursuing partnerships with independent hotels, boutique resorts, heritage properties, wildlife lodges and spiritual destinations across India. The model is aimed at hotel owners looking for access to larger distribution networks and professional revenue management without giving up ownership or operational control.
Unlike traditional affiliation structures that often involve substantial upfront costs, Summit’s partnership framework is built around a shared-growth approach. Hotel owners retain the identity of their properties while gaining access to the company’s central reservations system, revenue management expertise, digital marketing capabilities, technology platforms and hospitality manpower network.
The company, which has completed 18 years in the hospitality industry, believes the opportunity lies in India’s large base of independent hotels that have strong local appeal but limited access to organised distribution and brand support. With booking momentum continuing into June and advance reservations already tracking close to last year’s levels, Summit expects demand across leisure and destination travel markets to remain healthy through the coming quarters.