Johor Baru (Malaysia): The F1 race in Singapore is next month but hotels here are already feeling the spill-over effect.

Hoteliers say business is brisk. In the run-up to the Sept 28 event, they have received many bookings from foreigners opting to stay in Johor.

The high room rates in the island republic and the strength of the dollar against the ringgit are working in the Malaysian hoteliers' favour.

It is an opportunity which they are squeezing hard to get the last sen by marking up rates, some to even double the usual price.

It is learnt that the Malaysia Association of Hoteliers (Johor chapter) agreed in a recent meeting of members that five-star hotels charge a minimum of RM350 before taxes for a standard room during the F1 race period.

Zon Regency director of sales and marketing Samantha Liew said 100 rooms were being booked daily between Sept 25 and 30.

She said the bookings by travel agents from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur were for foreigners coming to the race.

"We have marked up our room rates by 100 per cent.

"Singapore agents are arranging for guests to stay at our hotel as our rate is relatively lower than those in the republic.

"We expect more bookings as the date draws closer."

Mutiara Johor Baru marketing communication manager Lily Tham said the hotel had secured block bookings for Sept 25-30 from agents.

She said 84 rooms had been booked.

"We have revised our rates slightly upwards."

Meanwhile, Hyatt Regency sales manager Frankie Kwok said 100 rooms had been booked by agents from Sept 25 to 30.

He expected more bookings in coming weeks due to the proximity of the hotel to Singapore.

The other five-star hotels are the Puteri Pacific Hotel and the Sofitel Palm Resort.