Media Release – February 3, 2009
Melbourne’s Hotel Windsor Bucks Gloomy Tourism Trend
With Record Occupancy for January
Melbourne’s Hotel Windsor has started 2009 with an occupancy rate of 86 per cent for
January, well up on previous years.
According to Hotel Windsor CEO and general manager David Perry, the performance –
the hotel’s best in living memory
–
is an indication some buoyancy remains in the
tourism and hospitality sector, provided it is prepared to respond swiftly to the challenges
presented by the current economic environment.
With visitor arrivals to Australia expected to experience the most severe drop since 1989
according to Federal Government projections, Mr Perry said it is imperative hotels renew
a focus on the domestic leisure traveller and aggressively create and market new
products and services better suited to the current and unfolding economic realities.
He said The Hotel Windsor’s current performance was a result of being able to offer a
range of room types with flexible pricing and developing relevant packages and
opportunities and getting these to the market quickly.
“Most hotels have a choice of two room types, but we have seven, including our top-end
suites,” he said. “This means people are able to stay for $150 a night if that is what their
budget permits or spend $1500 for an outstanding hotel experience. The reaction we’re
seeing to this indicates people are now actively looking for this range and flexibility.”
Mr Perry said good, timely products are also critical.
“We had a very strong response to our ‘Stay Three Nights for the Price of One” offer
during the first fortnight in January and then to our Australian Open Tennis package,
which delivered real value,” he said. “On the back of the success of these, we’re
planning to be more aggressive in our marketing focus than we’ve previously needed to
be because clearly the right product and service at the right time delivers results.”
Mr Perry said indications are that a viable corporate market is still present, with a good
level of inquiries and bookings beginning to come in by the end of January.
Accommodation and pricing options are also proving key to attracting commitment from
this sector, he said.
“There is very little doubt that the coming year will be the toughest the hotel sector has
known for, possibly, decades,” Mr Perry said. “Offering real value and affordability to
ensure we are accessible to the local market is vital. The challenge for many hotels will
be to deliver this accessibility without diluting their brand and it may be particularly
difficult for the larger chain hotels, which are often unable to move quickly to make
changes in their offering and approach.”
He said consumers could expect to see improved choice, as more hotels focus on
incentives and competitive packages, rates and amenities.
The 180-room Hotel Windsor celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2008. It pre-dates 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.
For further information:
David Perry, CEO and General Manager, The Hotel Windsor, Melbourne.
03 9633 6000 or 0437 650 755 or davidperry@thehotelwindsor.com.au
Issued by:
Tango Public Relations, 03 9654 8098.
NEWS 
