S'pore hotels see no influx of guests

S'pore hotels see no influx of guests

SINGAPORE (Reuters): Jittery Indonesians are once again taking refuge in Singapore ahead of a potentially violent election back home but local hoteliers said on Thursday they were not seeing a repeat of last year's riots-inspired windfall.

Indonesians fled their country in droves in May of last year as racial riots, looting and arson rocked Jakarta and led to the resignation of long-ruling former President Soeharto.

Latest data show arrivals from Indonesia in April jumped 32 percent to 78,633 compared with the same period a year ago .

May and June were widely expected to see substantial inbound travel to Singapore from Indonesia with airlines reporting full bookings and the possibility of extra flights.

But industry executives say Indonesians are more prepared this year and with the situation slightly less urgent than last year they are being more picky about their Singapore accommodations.

"This time round, I think the hotel industry will not see the repeat from last year," said Belinda Choo, marketing communications manager at the Mandarin Hotel, located on Singapore's main Orchard Road shopping strip.

Executives said many Indonesian arrivals were opting for less expensive serviced and private apartments or arranging to stay with friends and relatives.

"They know in advance what is going to happen," Choo said. "It's unlike last year when everybody was like in emergency." "There are very few staying in hotels," she said.

Three other hotel sales managers contacted by Reuters also said guest registers at present did not reflect a substantial influx.

But Jeffrey Koh, a manager at Great World Serviced Apartments, said his properties were almost filled to capacity.

"We have a lot of bookings for this and next month. It's almost fully booked."

Koh said about 15 percent of the reservations were from Indonesians.

But industry sources said that with time on their side this year, some cost-conscious Indonesians were avoiding Singapore altogether and instead looking to cheaper destinations.

"We hear many are going to Penang and Kuala Lumpur, which are cheaper," a property agent in Singapore said.

Resident Indonesians, meanwhile, have opened up their homes to friends and relatives planning to stay away from the country in May and June.

One Indonesian said many had already taken refuge in her three-bedroom apartment.

"I have 18 relatives from Jakarta at my place," she said. "Anyway, I'm going to Sydney for the school holidays. My husband is taking care of them."