SINGAPORE: Dealmakers tired of years of Covid-19 restrictions are converging on Singapore for the year’s biggest investment conferences and Formula One (F1) - a massive party-in-the-making that’s helping push hotel rates to unprecedented heights.

Over the next 30 days, the affluent island nation plays host to a slew of conferences including the SuperReturn summit, which is charging delegates US$4,000 , then F1 - the first after a two-year hiatus.

It’s an ideal setting for a celebration for the well-heeled, after years of punishing pandemic restrictions and dismal markets have taken their toll.

As of yesterday, digs at top-flight venues from the Marina Bay Sands to the storied Raffles Hotel were sold out for much of the coming month - many at upwards of US$2,000 a pop.

Even before that surge, accommodation costs had reached their highest in a decade. For bankers like Sean Xiang, the founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital who’s making his first trip abroad in three years, it’s well worth it.

He’s set aside US$40,000 to US$50,000 for a two-week layover.

“It’s a bit over the top,” Xiang said after scoring a place at the Sands, which boasts one of Asia’s largest casinos.

“But Chinese fund managers have been held back for three years. It’s a conference you cannot miss.”

Xiang plans to catch up with his limited partners while in town, and find out at Super Return how his peers are grappling with a market selloff.

The event is expected to draw not just financiers but also startups on the prowl.

Many funds in China, especially the smaller ones, are having a hard time raising capital after Beijing’s sweeping crackdown on the country’s Internet sector.

Singapore will also host the Milken Institute Asia Summit, Forbes Global CEO Conference and several crypto events in September, followed by gamescom asia in October.

But it’s F1 that might prove the bigger draw. This year’s night race is set to see its biggest turnout since the inaugural event in 2008. Away from the track, the entertainment lineup includes performances by Westlife and Green Day.

Other big names coming to Singapore later this year include Justin Bieber, Maroon Five and Guns N’ Roses.

 - Bloomberg