The main market players in hotel industry in Cluj stated that the financial crisis effects would be felt starting with 2009, when the hotel market is expected to stagnate.
For 2008, the value of Cluj hotel market hotel was estimated at EUR 40 mil., 30% higher than compared to the last year.
AB Onix Hotel company, manager of Onix hotel in Cluj-Napoca, 4 star classified, announced that in the first 10 months of 2008, the hotel had an average occupancy rate of 75%, higher than compared to the similar period in 2007, when the occupancy rate was of 68%.
AB Onix Hotel is also the main shareholder of Alpin Hotel located in Baisorii Mountain.
At the beginning of 2008, the management of the company announced its plans to start developing a 5 star hotel, which will be located behind Onix Hotel.
The minimum investment in this project is estimated at approximately EUR 6 mil.
The general manager of Onix Hotel, Mircea Jorj, hopes that construction works will be initiated in 2009 and estimates it will last approximately 1 year.
At present, the company unfolds an investment of approximately EUR 500,000 to enlarge and modernize the restaurant, the reception and the façade of Onix Hotel.
The new 5 star hotel which will have 80 rooms, conference halls and pool, will operate under Onix brand, but Jorj stated that he takes into consideration the possibility to affiliate it to an international chain.
In order to financially support the 5 star hotel project, AB Onix Hotel company plans to sell 84% of the major package owned at SC Turism Ariesul SA, including Hotelul Alpin in Muntele Baisorii, Cheile Turzii Chalet, treatment center Ariesul in Turda, the 3 star Stejeris Hotel and 51,15% at Salina Turda SA.
For 2008, the representatives of AB Onix Hotel estimates a turnover of approximately EUR 1.7 mil., 21% higher than compared to 2007.
Transilvania Development company, administrating the 4, respectively 3 star hotels City Plaza and City Central in Cluj-Napoca announced at the beginning of 2008 it plans to invest EUR 5.5 mil. in order to transform the 4 star City Plaza hotel into a 5 star hotel.
The new City Plaza will be a 6-storied building with a total of 85 rooms, divided on 5 levels, a Japanese bar, a Romanian traditional restaurant, an American bar, a pool, spa and a multifunctional ball-room, which can serve to cocktails, events, weddings as well as for conferences.
Although Transilvania Development officials foresaw the project would be completed until the end of January or the beginning of February 2009, the works will continue in 2009.
The management of Opera Plaza hotel in Cluj, 5 star classified which is also the only 5 star hotel in Cluj, estimates for 2008 a 75-80% occupancy rate, registering an increase compared to 2007, when this indicator had an average value of 45%. Also, the estimated turnover for 2008 reaches EUR 2 mil., 25% higher than in 2007.
The manager of Tulip Inn Sunny Hill in Cluj-Napoca, 3 star classified estimates a EUR 1.7 mil. turnover for 2008 and an average occupancy rate of 69-71%. Tulip Inn Sunny Hill hotel has 50 rooms, conference hall, with a capacity up to 160 persons and a restaurant with 80 seats. The representatives of the hotel plans to initiate an expansion program of the hotel with 50 more rooms, underground parking and a spa center in order to classify the hotel to 4 star.
Sursa: Ziarul Financiar [16.12.2008]
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