This is why the FT need to fxxx @ bushes..
Singapore hotel price rises most among world cities: survey
Xinhua
Updated: 2011-03-21 21:15:00
Comments(0) PrintMail
Large Medium Small
SINGAPORE, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's hotel rates increased by 29 percent on average last year, making it one of the cities around the world that recorded the highest rises in hotel prices, a local survey said Monday.
The latest hotel price index released on Monday by Hotels.com, a hotel-booking website, showed that Singaporeans paid an average of 244 Singapore dollars (192.7 U.S. dollars) per room per night in their own country.
"It is no surprise that hotel prices in Singapore are high, but the year-on-year increase of 29 percent in prices paid last year in Singapore is staggering," said Johan Svanstrom, vice president and managing director for Asia Pacific at the company.
Svanstrom said the price hike is attributable to robust travel demand and growth, with the growing number of attractions in the city state and great accessibility with low-cost carriers to and from the city.
"High-end accommodation in Singapore such as the integrated resorts continues to increase in popularity among leisure and corporate travelers alike," he said, referring to the casino resorts World Resorts Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands, both inaugurated last year.
Singapore ranked the fourth among the world's countries with the most expensive hotel rooms in 2010, following Switzerland, France and Britain. A night in a hotel room in Switzerland cost 203.8 U.S. dollars. Italy was the fifth most expensive country in terms of hotel rates.
Indonesia was the second most expensive in Asia at No.9 worldwide, and the price was 159.6 U.S. dollars.
In a ranking of the cities around the world, Singapore turned out the most expensive in Asia Pacific, followed Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Seoul. The hotel room rate in Hong Kong was about 148.5 U.S. dollars.
Singaporeans also spent the most on hotels when traveling in their own country.
"Affluent Singaporeans are now more willing to part with their money for a relaxing and luxurious stay in a domestic hotel," Svanstrom said.
The survey also found Singapreans spent an average of about 177 Singapore dollars (139.8 U.S. dollars) per room day when traveling abroad. In comparison, Americans spent 170.6 U.S. dollars, Japanese spent 165.9 U.S. dollars and South Koreans spent 159.6 U. S. dollars.
