Good hotel bargains in Asia.. for now...

According to PFK consulting, average hotel rates dropped in Asia from 1997 to 1998. As we stated in our earlier item, Bangkok was the only major city to record an increase, due most probably to the reasons we gave; perception of higher exchange rates, a successful Amazing Thailand campaign, and fears of social instability in Indonesia and Malaysia. Here are the figures..

Average Nightly Room Rates (US$)
	1997	1998
Bangkok	45	60
Beijing	100	70
Hong Kong	155	100
Jakarta	120	45
Kuala Lumpur	60	35
Manila	120	80
Seoul	145	80
Shanghai	125	95
Singapore	100	80
Taipei	140	130
Tokyo	190	185

With many beautiful new hotels Kuala Lumpur is obviously the best value destination, and business prospects are looking up too... The cities that have had the largest falls since 1997 are Jakarta, Seoul, and Hong Kong.

Don't wait too long. With the travel industry recovering quickly in Asia generally, price rises are a certainty any-time-soon.