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 |
About Hotels.com®
Hotels.com (also known in Canada as Hotels.ca) is a leading online accommodation booking brand. Through the Expedia, Inc. global network of websites, Hotels.com, LP connects travellers with 205,000 properties around the world, ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favourites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Hotels.com, LP benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry, obtaining the best rates for its customers, and offers frequent sales, special deals and promotions. There are more than 7 million Guest Reviews on the websites from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers can make an informed choice when booking. Through Hotels.com, LP's industry-leading loyalty program Welcome RewardsTM, customers can earn a free night for every 10 nights stayed at more than 85,000 hotels. Under its Price Match Guarantee, if a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com, LP will refund the difference. Travellers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centers. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded at www.hotels.com/deals/mobile_app/ enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals. Hotels.com publishes an award-winning twice-yearly review of international hotel room price trends called the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index™, which is now produced in 31 individual country editions, with North American data available at www.hotel-price-index.com. Follow Hotels.com on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Hotels.comCA, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcomca and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/hotelsdotcom. More Hotels.com news is available at: http://press.hotels.com/en-ca/. Hotels.com, LP is part of Expedia, Inc., the largest online travel company in the world with an extensive portfolio that includes some of the world's best-known brands.
Hotels.com, Finding You the Perfect Place and the Hotels.com logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. © 2013 Hotels.com, LP. All rights reserved. CST # 2083949-50
Image with caption: "The Hotels.com Club Sandwich Index can be used to help travellers plan their food budgets (CNW Group/Hotels.com)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130612_C6930_PHOTO_EN_27885.jpg
SOURCE: Hotels.com
Press contacts:
Lauren Wasley
energi PR for Hotels.com
Phone: (416) 425-9143 ext. 19
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @energiPR
Taylor L. Cole, APR
Hotels.com North America
Phone: (469) 335-8442
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @TravelwithTLC
Share this article