THE 175-room Fort Canning Lodge in Singapore, owned and managed by the local chapter of the World Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), is stepping up its game to attract more corporate travellers and business events.
Spearheading the initiative is general manager, Jimmy Kwan, who came into the role last month. He joins from Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts and Maikhao Dream Hotels & Resorts.
Kwan said: “Fort Canning Lodge has been quietly popular with events organised by local schools, churches and companies, and our meeting and function rooms run at a monthly average occupancy of 60-70 per cent.
“We also receive many leisure travellers, business travellers and residential meeting groups from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, which are now our key source markets. We get a number of Japanese business travellers too, some of whom are long-stay guests.”
Kwan explained that the lodge’s success with travellers and meetings was a result of “loyal customers” and partnerships with travel consultants.
“But I want to raise the bar, first by reaching out to companies located in Orchard Road, around Fort Canning Lodge, which was not done before, and secondly by being more aggressive in our branding efforts. One of the things we have done is to improve the hostel’s website and provide more information and photos (that) travellers and planners can use,” he said.
“Few actually know where Fort Canning Lodge is – we have a great location in the heart of town and close to other business districts, and yet our room rates are around S$150 (US$122). Few also know that we have facilities for meetings and events, including dining functions that are supported by our own kitchen.”
With all guestrooms – lead-in category rooms measure 20.5m2 – and 12 event spaces fully renovated last year, Kwan believes that the lodge “is in a good position to receive more business travellers and meetings and events”.
“Moreover, with tighter corporate travel budgets next year against a backdrop of continued economic problems, more attention will be paid to affordable accommodation and venues. Fort Canning Lodge will offer a strong proposition, especially in pricey Singapore,” he said.
