Rates hike for buoyant business

Occupancy rates have also increased to about 90 per cent. When big events such as Asian Aerospace and IMF/World Bank meetings are in town, many hotels will be reporting full occupancies. Jackie Seah, Hilton Singapore's director of sales and marketing, says the profile of delegates is wide ranging, spanning non-conventional industries aside from the usual banking, IT and pharmaceutical meetings, while meeting sizes vary greatly. "While there are more popular months for the mega events like CommunicAsia, the rest are more ad hoc in nature, since Singapore boasts good weather year round," she adds. New facilities Pan Pacific Singapore has more than 20 meeting venues comprising 2,300 sqm of space. The new Executive Centre located on Level Rates hike for buoyant business "While there are more popular months for the mega events like CommunicAsia, the rest are more ad hoc in nature, since Singapore boasts good weather year-round" Jackie Seah, Director of sales and marketing, be conducted in the hotel and there are plans for 'live' video broadcasts from the hotel's function rooms to Suntec Singapore. Hoteliers generally agree that clients now want meeting spaces in stylish settings, with high ceilings, good views and natural light. There is also an increased demand for breakout rooms for discussions. As for timing, there has been a shift in the peak periods during the week, according to Marriott Singapore. It used to be Mondays to Thursdays but is now Tuesdays to Thursdays. One positive trend is that companies are now booking in advance in anticipation of high demand in the city. Marriott Singapore director of marketing Kathrynn Koh says one of the key reasons for price increases are market demand and increasing overheads. For the upcoming IMF meetings the hotel is working closely with STB on dedicated signage for delegates, pillow gifts and promotions at F&B outlets. It will have rooms allotment with SHA for this special group. "Our main challenge would probably be the limitations caused by our room inventory," says Koh. Rising rates Mandarin Oriental spokesperson Ruth Soh says rates for meeting packages increased because more perks are being offered compared with 2005 on top of being a newly renovated hotel. The hotel is working with IMF/World Bank meeting organisers to ensure delegates provide newly renovated rooms and suites for accommodation, interesting cuisines for lunch and coffee breaks, themes for meetings/event set-ups and therapeutic or spa services to rejuvenate guests between meetings. Marina Mandarin Singapore spokesperson Rae Tang says there has been a surge in the business travel and conference business. F&B revenue has increased with more money spent on meals and conference requirements by business travellers and CEI delegates. Conference sizes have increased from 30 to 50 persons and larger conferences from 300 to 500 persons. However, many companies now have their own meeting and training facilities, so it is common for clients to house their participants in hotels and hold their meetings within office premises. The Ritz-Carlton, Millennia Singapore spokesperson Zannie Leong says meeting rates for all packages have increased 15 per cent since last year. However, she adds that the rates for the hotel will remain flexible, pegged according to the demand from the market and business travel trends. Meanwhile, four-star hotels are revving up the competition for five-stars. Novotel Clarke Quay Singapore director of sales and marketing Theo Ocks says: "People are tired of the same old coffee break with stale coffee and some rolls, especially the second coffee break (after lunch). It is an excellent opportunity to do something different. Novotel offers, for example, the possibility to relax in massage chairs, or have a dedicated 15-minute yoga session. "We now can offer not only the finest espresso coffee, freshly brewed, during coffee breaks, but also for example a chocolate fountain, with fresh fruit to dip and many other options for the delegates." Conference sizes have increased from 30 to 50 persons and larger conferences from 300 to 500 persons. However, many companies now have their own meeting and training facilities, so it is common for clients to house their participants in hotels and hold their meetings within office premises. The Ritz-Carlton, Millennia Singapore spokesperson Zannie Leong says meeting rates for all packages have increased 15 per cent since last year. However, she adds that the rates for the hotel will remain flexible, pegged according to the demand from the market and business travel trends. Meanwhile, four-star hotels are revving up the competition for five-stars. Novotel Clarke Quay Singapore director of sales and marketing Theo Ocks says: "People are tired of the same old coffee break with stale coffee and some rolls, especially the second coffee break (after lunch). It is an excellent opportunity to do something different. Novotel offers, for example, the possibility to relax in massage chairs, or have a dedicated 15-minute yoga session. "We now can offer not only the finest espresso coffee, freshly brewed, during coffee breaks, but also for example a chocolate fountain, with fresh fruit to dip and many other options for the delegates." Conference sizes have increased from 30 to 50 persons and larger conferences from 300 to 500 persons. However, many companies now have their own meeting and training facilities, so it is common for clients to house their participants in hotels and hold their meetings within office premises. The Ritz-Carlton, Millennia Singapore spokesperson Zannie Leong says meeting rates for all packages have increased 15 per cent since last year. However, she adds that the rates for the hotel will remain flexible, pegged according to the demand from the market and business travel trends. Meanwhile, four-star hotels are revving up the competition for five-stars. Novotel Clarke Quay Singapore director of sales and marketing Theo Ocks says: "People are tired of the same old coffee break with stale coffee and some rolls, especially the second coffee break (after lunch). It is an excellent opportunity to do something different. Novotel offers, for example, the possibility to relax in massage chairs, or have a dedicated 15-minute yoga session.