Meeting News - February 15, 2010 - (Page 40)

Travel Dashboard By Amon Cohen 2009 Hotel Rate Declines Spanned All Continents, Says HRG Houston and Ottawa were the only cities where corporate hotel rates rose in 2009, according to travel management company HRG. Houston experienced a 7 percent increase, which HRG attributed to the continuing strength of the oil and gas sector. Ottawa was up 3 percent, although HRG did not venture an explanation for this exception to an otherwise consistent picture of rate declines. Some of the largest drops were also in North America, with New York and Chicago both down 23 percent to $319 and $205, respectively. However, HRG did observe a recovery in New York in the fourth quarter owing to the revival of the financial services sector. Other cities to experience big falls in local currency were Dublin and Dubai, both down 21 percent, and Zurich and Hong Kong, both down 18 percent. HRG said its figures are based on a combination of industry intelligence and rates booked by U.K.based corporate clients. Converted into U.K. pounds sterling, the most expensive city worldwide for the fifth year running was Moscow, at £267 per day, even though rates fell 5 percent in local currency. HRG reported that rates started to improve in several major cities in the fourth quarter of 2009, albeit in comparison with fourth-quarter 2008, the first quarter to show a slump in most destinations.“Whilst indications are that rates will remain flat in most markets globally, there are signs of increasing occupancy as the effects of the recession begin to ease off in certain markets,” said HRG director of global hotel relations Margaret Bowler. “In 2009, the playing field leveled as occupancy levels decreased and corporates gained greater access to negotiated rates,”she said.“Hoteliers have tried to maintain rates and therefore corporate travelers have increasingly been able to secure value-added services as part of their negotiated rates, such as Internet access, parking and breakfast.” HRG observed that rate declines were less pronounced in the five-star market than in lower-tier properties. The average five-star rate fell only 3.5 percent. “Top hoteliers proved willing to sacrifice a degree of occupancy in order to maintain rate integrity,” said HRG’s report. ❍ I T ’ S A N E W DAY I N DAY TO N A B E AC H When it comes to meetings and conventions, Daytona Beach is all-new with the Ocean Center now offering more than 200,000 sq. ft. of meeting & exhibit space as well as more than 12,000 guestrooms in the area. Fine dining, unique shopping and great nightlife are nearby. Daytona Beach International Airport is served by Delta and USAirways. Call or click for the whole story. Outstanding golf courses include LPGA International, and tennis players will love the USTA Florida Tennis Center. Daytona International Speedway and the Daytona 500 Experience welcome groups. Daytona Beach is the summer home of the London Symphony Orchestra and outstanding museums, galleries and performing arts centers. Historic Downtown Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and DeLand are delightful. Our meeting professionals have what it takes to make your next event your best event. · DaytonaBeachMeetings.com/mn 1-866-530-3140 40 MeetingNews February 15, 2010 www.meetingnews.com http://www.DaytonaBeachMeetings.com/mn http://www.DaytonaBeachMeetings.com/mn http://www.plazaresortandspa.com http://www.plazaresortandspa.com http://www.meetingnews.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - February 15, 2010

Meeting News - February 15, 2010
Contents
Newsmaker
Meetings Spotlight
Viewpoint
Meeting People
Construction Cites
Association Watch
Strategic Mtgs. Mgmt
Gaming Destinations
Island Incentives
Dateline: Hong Kong
South Regional
Travel Dashboard

Meeting News - February 15, 2010