Summit Hotels Reports Strong Growth Across Sikkim and Darjeeling Hills

Summit Hotels Expands Partnership Strategy Amid Rising Leisure Travel Demand

Summit Hotels & Resorts has started FY2026-27 with nearly 40 per cent growth in business during April and May, driven by continued demand for leisure travel across the Eastern Himalayas and growing interest in organised regional hospitality brands.

During the first two months of the financial year, the hospitality group sold more than 37,000 room nights and maintained healthy occupancy levels across its portfolio. The performance came 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 contributed significantly to growth, supported by repeat visitors and increasing demand for mountain getaways.

“We entered the year expecting healthy demand, but the pace of bookings has been stronger than anticipated,” said Sumit Mitruka, CEO of Summit Hotels & Resorts.

“What stands out is not just the occupancy but the willingness of travellers to continue choosing these destinations despite temporary disruptions. The demand for experiential leisure travel continues to support both room revenues and spending within our hotels,” he added.

Food and beverage revenues also increased during the period, while guest review scores remained consistently positive across the company’s operating markets.

The strong start to the financial year comes as Summit broadens its presence beyond owned and managed properties in the Eastern Himalayas.

As part of its expansion plans, the company is actively seeking partnerships with independent hotels, boutique resorts, heritage properties, wildlife lodges and spiritual tourism destinations across India. The initiative is designed to help property owners access wider distribution networks and professional revenue management support while retaining ownership and operational control.

Under Summit’s partnership framework, hotel owners can maintain their individual identity while benefiting from the company’s central reservation systems, revenue management expertise, digital marketing support, technology platforms and hospitality workforce network.

The company believes there is considerable opportunity within India’s large independent hotel sector, where many properties enjoy strong local recognition but have limited access to organised distribution and branding support.

With booking momentum continuing into June and advance reservations tracking close to last year’s levels, Summit expects demand across leisure and destination travel markets to remain steady in the months ahead.

For more travel and tourism content, follow Safari India.