SINGAPOREANS are cutting down on costly holidays to distant destinations in the wake of the economic downturn - but that does not mean they are not going on vacation.
While many still go on jaunts to, say, Bintan and Batam, there is a new trend emerging - that of the "staycation", or a holiday where one stays close to home.
In response, hotels are customising packages for locals and expatriates, ranging from family deals to romantic couples' stays.
Hotels my paper spoke to said that up to 20 per cent of their guests are local, and that this number typically spikes towards the end of the year.
At Scarlet Hotel in Erskine Road, domestic customers make up 12 per cent of its guests.
There has been a "slight increase" in that figure from the same period last year, said general manager Fong Kah Seng.
The Fullerton Hotel offers perks exclusive to Singapore residents, such as free in-house movies.
The hotel's director of marketing communications, Ms Carolyn Goh, said: "Singaporeans are now more conscious of their spending, but still want a retreat away from their homes."
For technical engineer Hanis Farina Mohd Ariffin, 24, a staycation is a great way to save money as well as a much-needed reprieve from work.
"I don't have to fork out money for airfare, but I am still able to enjoy facilities like the spa and swimming pool," she said.
She booked a two-night stay for next month at Changi Village Hotel instead of going on a Bangkok trip.
Fullerton's Ms Goh says the staycation trend will last.
As the recession deepens, she said, the hotel is "predicting more locals booking these packages" in the coming year.
