World Cup semi-final brings increased bookings to Kingston hotels
Kingston hotels are reporting increased bookings for this week which, they all agree, have been sparked by the Cricket World Cup semi-final match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka tomorrow at Sabina Park.
“No doubt about it, it’s because of the cricket why we are fully booked,” said a staff member at the 148-room Knutsford Court Hotel, who asked not to be named as he is not authorised to speak with the media.
He said the hotel, which averages 70 to 73 per cent occupancy each year, was experiencing 40 per cent occupancy in recent months. The cost per night for a deluxe room there is US$162 between January and April.
An employee at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel said rooms would not be available at the 350-room property before April 27. Due to the World Cup, rates there start at US$350 per night, the employee said.
A female employee at The Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, which usually averages occupancies in the high 90s, said the 127-room hotel is fully booked until Wednesday. The rate there is US$183.29 per night.
Bookings at the 75-room Hotel Four Seasons are up by 50 per cent, the Observer was told, and guests are coming from countries such as India and Australia. Visitors will have to shell out US$100.51 per night for a single regular room there.
The 58-room Altamont Court Hotel, which charges J$9,750 per night, is reporting a 20 per cent increase in bookings for this week, while a representative at Medallion Hall Hotel – usually booked by local companies – said the majority of its current guests are overseas cricket fans. The hotel, which has 21 rooms, charges $6,360 per room per night.
A spokesman at the Hilton Kingston said yesterday that the 303-room property is currently operating at its regular 90 per cent occupancy level, but that figure should increase by more than four per cent today due to bookings from overseas cricket fans.
A poolside room at the Hilton can be reserved for US$360 per night during the World Cup.
The Observer was unable to get figures from the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel and Christar Villas.
