Local hotel room rates slipped 9% in 2014 on back of Chinese tourist dearth

The average room rate slipped to $239.

Tourists who visited Singapore in 2014 paid less for their hotels compared to the previous year, the latest Hotel Price Index showed.

The index, released by booking site Hotels.com, showed that the average room rate fell 9% to $239 in 2014.

“As a popular transit point, the city was impacted by the fall in traveller numbers to Thailand as well as in the number of Chinese tourists. However, Singapore is celebrating its Golden Jubilee in 2015 and the celebrations should help restore its position in the regional and global spotlight,” stated the report.

Singapore was particularly impacted by China’s imposition of anti-zero-fare tour laws, the political unrest in Thailand and the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines’ flight MH-370.

“The Golden Jubilee celebrations are expected to boost visitor numbers in 2015. New attractions, such as the Singapore Sports Hub and the National Arts Gallery, as well as events such as hosting the 2015 Southeast Asian Games and the Women’s Tennis Association Championship running until 2018 will also benefit the tourist industry,” the report added.