The decision to cut the F1 levy in the lead-up to the race is being applauded by Novotel Clarke Quay, one of the best-located hotels for F1 visitors.
The F1 levy placed on hotels will be cut from five nights to four, as well as the rates for the levy remaining unchanged from 2008. It will now be in effect from Thursday, September 24 to Sunday September 27.
Simon Jones is resident manager at Novotel Clarke Quay, and applauds the decision. "The levy cut should assist in more realistic special event rates in Singapore over the period, That should help boost occupancy."
Novotel Clarke Quay was one of the most solidly booked hotels in the lead-up to last year's F1 race, as the 4 Star Singapore hotel declined to go the way of many and abnormally inflate prices in the lead-up. Mr. Heinz Javier Colby, hotel general manager, said "We contacted our sister hotels in other F1 host cities to find out how much they charged. We didn't impose ridiculously abnormal fees so we attracted solid business well in advance".
Resident manager Simon Jones is building on that philosophy this year. "We ensured our pricing was realistic, and acceptable for a special event. This has ensured strong bookings already for the hotel in 2009, as well as multiple group bookings”
"Inflating rates prior to the race is a false economy, as they then have to be cut to make up occupancy, it creates a situation in the market where the consumer waits until the last minute to book accommodation, or not say at all", Mr. Jones continued.
The move to cut the levy is part of the Singapore government's BOOST (Building On Opportunities to Strengthen Tourism) initiative. The S$90 million campaign's centerpiece is the '2009 Reasons to Visit Singapore' campaign, aimed more at short-haul visitors. The move has the Singapore Tourism Board expecting up to 9.5 million visitors, a slight decline on last year's record of 10.1 million and S$14.8 billion in tourism receipts.
About Novotel Clarke Quay:
Novotel Clarke Quay - http://www.novotelclarkequay.com.sg - situated in the heart of Singapore and within the vibrant and dynamic Clarke Quay area, is one of Singapore's best located hotels, both for tourists and business travelers. Novotel Clarke Quay features 401 recently renovated rooms each with magnificent and un-obstructed views of the meandering Singapore River. The hotel’s guest rooms have been upgraded to Novotel’s latest design standards offering state of the art amenities such as flat screen televisions with DVD players and versatile pivoting workstations developed with the travelling executive in mind.
For more information please contact:
Simon Jones
Resident Manager, Novotel Clarke Quay
Email: H5993-GM1@accor.com
Website: http://www.novotelclarkequay.com.sg
