Hotel market consultants say that in order to increase the number of tourists in 2010, Bucharest hotel owners must not only rely on lower prices, but also focus on quality services. Yet another weak point in this city is insufficient space for the hosting of international events, which helps generate traffic, including for tourism.
“Rates must not be the Bucharest hotel owners’ pedal. Of course, the lowering of rates is welcome, because average rates of Bucharest hotels were quite “impertinent” compared to the average on the European market. Nevertheless, we will not be more attractive as a business tourism destination because of rates. Services, their proper packaging, and making these as accessible to clients as possible, will make the difference, said Mihai Rasnita, Secretary General of the Federation of the Romanian Hotel Industry (FIHR). He also believes that the country’s political instability is greatly influencing companies, organizations or multinationals in their decisions for organizing major events elsewhere.
The latest reports by the CBRE real estate advisory company on the local market shows that average rates in Bucharest for one night’s accommodation are down to €78-80, comparable with rates in capitals such as Sofia, Warsaw, Prague, and Budapest. Bucharest was previously known as a “pricey” business destination in terms of hotel rates .
