The room occupancy rate for five-star hotels in HCMC is estimated to stand at 80% this month, substantially higher than the same period last year, said hotel representatives.Dang Huy Hai, deputy general director of the New World Saigon Hotel, said the average occupancy rate of his hotel will be 82% this month, versus 75% in the same period last year.A lot of guests come from neighboring Asian countries with the numbers for conventions also rising, leading to higher revenues for five-star hotels.“On many days this month, our hotel will be fully occupied. Bookings for next month are also fairly good,” he said on the sidelines of a meeting held by the HCMC Tourism Association on Wednesday.Nguyen Anh Vu, general director of the Majestic Hotel, said the average occupancy rate of the five-star hotel would be around 80% this month with an increased number of business guests.Tao Van Nghe, general director of the Rex Hotel, said high-grade hotels in HCMC would perform well this month.“At our hotel, the average room occupancy rate will be above 80%, which will remain high until April. Hotels in the entire city will have no problem this month,” he said.Only a few hotels have raised room rates to cover rising input costs, while many hotels have maintained stable prices to ensure competitiveness. The average room rate of high-grade hotels in HCMC is US$150 per night, said Nghe.“Most hotels dare not increase room rates because our city is not yet an attractive destination to many visitors. Despite very good services, hotels keep prices unchanged to lure guests,” he said.The number of individual Japanese business guests is rising significantly.“We have welcomed a lot of businessmen from Japanese companies. The number of such guests is surging,” said Hai of the New World Saigon Hotel.Similarly, Vu said Japan had become the largest market for his hotel. The majority of visitors from Japan are in business.
Source: SGT