Annual Hotels.com Club Sandwich Index (CSI) shows sizeable pricing changes in 2013
TORONTO, June 12, 2013 /CNW/ - The City of Light is no longer the most expensive city in the world to order a club sandwich, having lost the top spot to Swiss city, Geneva. Travellers craving this classic menu staple of a chicken, bacon, egg, lettuce and mayonnaise sandwich can now enjoy it for the average price of $31.34 according to the travel experts at Hotels.com. Used as a barometer of affordability, the Hotels.com Club Sandwich Index (CSI) provides travellers with an indication of the cost of living that comes with travel in popular cities around the world.
The CSI average price is calculated from the real prices paid by guests for a Club Sandwich in 30 hotels in the capital or major tourist city of each country surveyed, across five, four and three-star categories. In total, 840 hotels globally were part of the index.
This is the second year of the CSI and the current index reflects not only changes in the actual price of a Club Sandwich across the globe but also the effect of currency fluctuations. The good news for travellers is that, on average, prices are dropping and the Genevan average of $31.34, although higher than any other city featured, is still lower than last year's most expensive, which was $32.64 in Paris.
The most affordable Club Sandwich can be purchased in New Delhi, India for an average price of $9.37, although several other cities also offer the popular sandwich for under $12, including Mexico City ($10.85), Taipei ($11.70) and Bogota ($11.74).
Canadian cities also saw a change in pricing in 2013, with Toronto and Vancouver experiencing price decreases, going from $15.86 to $15.70 and $15.71 to $15.67, on average respectively. Calgary, Montreal and Halifax had increases ranging from 12 cents to upwards of $1, coming in at $14.59, $16.51 and $12.65. East Coast city, Halifax, remained an affordable destination for travellers with prices sitting on the lower end of the scale compared to other popular global cities.
Alison Couper from Hotels.com said: "The Club Sandwich, available on hotel menus across the globe, is the perfect spending barometer, helping tourists factor into their travel plans the everyday cost of simple items such as food and drink. The price changes when comparing 2013 to 2012 hide a complex story of factors from changes in the local price of basic food items through to currency fluctuations. The beauty of the CSI is that we are able to offer travellers a simple price comparison to show how far their money may stretch in each country."
The Hotels.com Club Sandwich Index (CSI) 2013:
| Ranking 2013 |
Country/City | Average Club Sandwich Price ($) in 2013 |
Average Club Sandwich Price ($) in 2012 |
Ranking 2012 |
| 1 | Switzerland - Geneva | $31.34 | $32.12 | 2 |
| 2 | France - Paris | $28.24 | $32.64 | 1 |
| 3 | Norway - Oslo | $27.49 | $30.09 | 3 |
| 4 | Sweden - Stockholm | $23.79 | $21.84 | 7 |
| 5 | Denmark - Copenhagen | $22.98 | $18.61 | 9 |
| 6 | Italy - Rome | $22.91 | $23.89 | 5 |
| 7 | Japan - Tokyo | $21.30 | $27.27 | 4 |
| 8 | UK - London | $21.24 | $18.45 | 10 |
| 9 | Australia - Sydney | $21.13 | $19.49 | 8 |
| 10 | Hong Kong | $20.38 | $18.10 | 11 |
| 11 | Finland - Helsinki | $20.32 | $22.35 | 6 |
| 12 | South Korea - Seoul | $19.09 | $17.82 | 12 |
| 13 | USA - New York | $18.02 | $16.70 | 15 |
| 14 | Russia - Moscow | $17.36 | $16.15 | 17 |
| 15 | Netherlands - Amsterdam | $17.14 | $16.70 | 16 |
| 16 | Germany - Berlin | $16.39 | $17.53 | 13 |
| 17 | Singapore | $15.87 | $14.59 | 21 |
| 18 | Canada - Toronto | $15.70 | $15.86 | 19 |
| 19 | Ireland - Dublin | $15.50 | $15.35 | 20 |
| 20 | Spain - Madrid | $15.20 | $15.83 | 18 |
| 21 | Brazil - Rio De Janeiro | $14.82 | $17.53 | 14 |
| 22 | China - Beijing | $12.98 | $14.28 | 22 |
| 23 | Argentina - Buenos Aires | $12.23 | $10.56 | 24 |
| 24 | Thailand - Bangkok | $12.15 | N/A | N/A |
| 25 | Colombia - Bogota | $11.74 | $13.90 | 23 |
| 26 | Taiwan - Taipei | $11.70 | N/A | N/A |
| 27 | Mexico- Mexico City | $10.85 | $10.05 | 25 |
| 28 | India - New Delhi | $9.37 | $9.44 | 26 |
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SOURCE: Hotels.com
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