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apollo
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From: http://www.bangkokpost.com/051208_Business/05Dec2008_biz26.php
Novotel Suvarnabhumi foresees tough year ahead
CHADAMAS CHINMANEEVONG
The Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel expects a tough year in 2009 against the backdrop of falling tourism following the closures of Bangkok's two airports by anti-government protesters.
Tristan Beau de Lomenie, the hotel's general manager, said the week-long closure of Suvarnabhumi Airport sent its occupancy down to only 10%, compared to 80% during normal times.
"Our hotel business will face difficulties next year. Thailand is now facing two crises - the global economic crisis and local political instability. We can't stay without doing anything, otherwise we will lose," he said.
The tourism sector is not forecast to make a noticeable recovery until around September next year.
Before it improves, the meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (Mice) business will be severely hit as many events might be cancelled and companies will cut meeting costs.
"The airport closure should not happen again as this will not only damage the tourism sector but also investor confidence. Exports will see some impact as well," the French hotelier said.
Next year, the Novotel will try hard to reduce expenses, especially on manpower, electricity and unnecessary costs. At the same time, aggressive marketing will be done to attract customers.
"Thailand is a wonderful country with service-minded people and beautiful tourist attractions. If the country can manage to solve the political problems, everything will return to normal again," he said.
In response to the short-term problems caused by the airport closures that ended on Wednesday, some hotels are slashing prices to attract stranded passengers and make up lost income. AFP reported yesterday.
The five-star Amari Watergate in Bangkok has dropped its room rate from 8,000 baht to 4,500 baht a night for people who were supposed to have departed Thailand but could not yet get flights.
At the 88-storey Baiyoke Sky Hotel in Pratunam, room rates have been slashed from 5,500 baht to 3,300 baht and a spokesman said the hotel was now full as a result.
Other hotels also report extra bookings from among the stranded tourists, with the five-star Four Seasons reporting increased sales.
As well, attempts are being stepped up to attract more domestic bookings to make up for cancellations by international tourists.
The Mandarin Oriental, meanwhile, has nearly halved the price of a US$389 river-view room but only for Thai nationals, an employee said.
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Well, here it comes... 1/2 price for the Oriental? Wow... $195 for a river view room. Wait few more months and will be 1/4 price... now its high Season. Other "discounts" are not yet real (Amari from 8000 b to 4500 b ? what a joke...) but they will soon feel the pain and get to 1/4 their rack rate.... Amari is not worth more than 2000B tops. Oriental will get bookings if they go around $150 or less.... for the river room. Tough competition on the few tourists whom will dare go back in Feb/Mar... if at all. By the way, don't expect the usual service, buffett, etc. - these all will be cut to the bone... so you may pay less for a room but also it will come with less (no changing bedsheets and new towels for all the stay? 
Ap.-
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 5:33 pm on Dec. 4, 2008
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mt
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Couldn't agree more, Apollo. Amari Watergate is "five-star?" Hah! The Bangkok Post writer must be high on yaa baa, or got a nice tip from Amari for writing that BS. I've stayed there a long time ago, and it's 3-star at best. I hope to be back in BKK in a few months, so we'll see what the rates are then.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 7:27 pm on Dec. 7, 2008
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