COLOMBO hotels are seeing rates skyrocket this week as the Commonwealth Summit rolls into town, with five-star accommodation costing thrice the usual price.
Up to 4,000 rooms in 33 hotels have been booked for the summit, which will be attended by over 30 heads of state and their delegations (TTG Asia e-Daily, August 28, 2013).
Hotel rates for delegates as decided by the government are US$571 net per night for a five-star hotel; US$431 for four-star; US$343 for three-star; US$273 for two-star; and US$159 for one-star. Regular rates for a five-star room hover around US$180.
However, Vipula Wanigasekera, member of the accommodation committee for the Summit and general manager of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, said five-star hotels will lose business this week despite the higher rates as they cannot open their restaurants or rooms to non-resident clients and non-Summit delegates.
This includes hotels such as Hilton Colombo, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, Cinnamon Grand Colombo, The Kingsbury and Hotel Galadari.
“The (five-star) rates have been fixed based on hotel rates prevalent during previous Commonwealth Summits in Perth and Trinidad, and also to compensate for lost business,” he explained.
One operator who declined to be named, said his hotel could lose over US$500,000 this week.
