OREANDA-NEWS. July 11, 2012. Committee for Investments and Strategic Projects, St. Petersburg, is considering the possibility and expediency of supporting the development of economy class accommodation, said the deputy chairman of the committee Irina Babiuk.

"Despite the positive dynamics of room stock growth, available now in St. Petersburg, hotel infrastructure does not fully meet the increasing demand and the contemporary needs among tourists and visitors of the city , which is  one of the world's leading tourist and business centers," - said Babiuk.

She said the city government has not yet regulated the saturation of a particular segment, and supported the development of hotel infrastructure in general.

However, in her opinion, the necessity lower price accomodation is now obvious.

"This is confirmed by data on the average occupancy rate of hotels in St. Petersburg, under which the occupancy level of 3 * hotels on average 6% higher than the 4 * and 15% higher than the 5 *" - said the deputy chairman of the committee.

She also reported that the committee this year will begin to fill the "Travel Registry of St. Petersburg."

"Certification, which will be conducted  by organizations, accredited by a special commission under the committee, is mainly interesting for the  hotels that are not controlled by  the international operators. It will contribute to more effective customer acquisition and understanding of compliance" star, "the criteria of quality of tourist services," - said Babiuk.

She mentioned that the number of rooms of St. Petersburg at the moment is 33 thousand 736 rooms (687 hotels). The city has 13 five star hotels with 2 374 rooms, 43 four star hotels with 8 130 rooms, 116 three star hotels offering 9 159 rooms, 130 two star hotels with  4  887 rooms and 70 hotels with 1 *  Category and 976 rooms. In addition, the city has 271 mini-hotels (2 407 rooms) and 44 other objects with 5 803 rooms.

Petersburg hotel market is represented by 10 major international hotel operators: Kempinski, Corinthia, Accor (Novotel and brands Ibis), Rezidor (Radisson and brands Park Inn), Sokos Hotel, Marriott (Courtyard by Marriott brands and Renaissance), IHG (Holiday Inn, Staybridge , Crowne Plaza), Starwood (brand "W"), Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Domina Hotels & Resorts. In the near future Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (Swissotel) and a number of other operators are also planning to enter the market.