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Media Release – November 16, 2009
An Improving Outlook means Consumers Should Act Fast
to Grab Remaining Hotel Bargains: Melbourne’s Hotel Windsor
Time is running out for consumers who are enjoying the choice of heavily discounted
airfares and hotel rooms that have been available through 2009, according to
Melbourne’s Hotel Windsor.
CEO and general manager David Perry said indications are that the market has
bottomed out and prices will start to trend upwards, particularly in Melbourne.
“October was the strongest month for The Hotel Windsor compared to the same month
in 2008 in over a year, both in terms of occupancy level and rates,” Mr Perry said.
“November is also very strong and the outlook for December is promising. Given hotels
are often something of a barometer for the broader economy, the indicators are that
we’ve turned a corner. The hotel sector may be looking at a future that is a little brighter
than at any time since the global financial crisis began.
“The message for consumers is that the unbelievable offers we’ve seen over the past 12
months will be drawing to a close and they should move quickly if they want to grab the
remnants of the lowest of the low-price deals.”
Mr Perry said the lifting of travel bans in place at many major
Australian corporations
since February 2009 and generally strong domestic consumer confidence were off-
setting the strong Australian dollar and the weaker in-bound market.
“If corporate travel constraints
continue to loosen, we’re expecting 2010 to be an
improvement over this year,
driven primarily by domestic business,” he said. “We’re
some way off from returning to a growth market but I anticipate being back to pre-
September 2007 levels.”
He said most hotels would continue some discounting of room rates to maintain
reasonable occupancy levels
but consumers should move quickly to grab remaining
bargain-basement deals before more realistic rates and prices returned.
He said the best-performing hotels in 2010 would increasingly bundle innovative value-
add services and products into rates, ensuring they continued to be seen to offer
competitive value. These could include breakfasts, valet parking, airport transfers,
quality in-room products, and internet costs.
“What will be key is ensuring these value-add services are very obvious to the booker,
whether it is a booking agency or an individual,” he said.
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“Too often a number of hotels seem to be offering more or less the same room rate.
Add-ons that can result in real cost-savings or a significantly improved hotel experience
for guests are not easily apparent. It is important for hotels to ensure they are clear and
aggressive in what they offer, and for consumers to do their research.”
As an example, The Hotel Windsor has recently contracted a number of corporate
accounts
after providing internet services within fixed room rates. It has also almost
halved internet overnight charges to all guests. The hotel took the steps after a survey
indicated a majority of people believed
high
internet fees and charges were one of the
most annoying aspects of a hotel stay.
“There are significant opportunities for hotels to be innovative, competitive and attract
guests even in more difficult times,” Mr Perry said.
The 180-room Hotel Windsor was built in 1883, pre-dating some of the world’s leading
grand hotels including the Savoy in London, which was built in 1889, the Waldorf Astoria
in New York which dates back to 1893, and the Ritz Paris which opened in 1898.
Issued by:
Tango Public Relations, 03 9654 8098.
For further information:
David Perry, CEO and general manager, The Hotel Windsor, Melbourne. 03 9633 6000 or
0437 650 755; davidperry@thehotelwindsor.com.au
NEWS 
