Canadians love red, white... and blue? U.S. cities top travellers' lists

New York was the number one international destination according to Hotels.com

TORONTO, April 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Scenic views, hockey, poutine, and some of the friendliest people on the planet, Canada has it all. But as much as we love our country, when we're looking to travel, sometimes a trip outside of the great white north is a must. Using its latest Hotel Price Index™ (HPI™), Hotels.com® has uncovered exactly where in the world Canadians are going to indulge their international travel desires.

The HPI is a biannual report that looks at hotel prices in cities all around the world. The data is based on bookings made through the Hotels.com website and the prices listed are the actual prices paid by Canadians - not advertised rates. The report compares prices paid in 2010 with those of 2011.

The heavy hitters

New York City: The Big Apple took the number one international spot for Canadian travellers and it's really no surprise. With high-end shopping, high-class restaurants and high-intensity Broadway shows, New York has something for everyone... it just might cost you. It is also the only U.S. city in the top 10 international destinations with an average daily hotel rate of more than $200, coming in at $256 CDN.

Las Vegas is a place where dreams can come true. Think Disneyland, but for adults. Vegas took the number two spot which leads us to think that maybe sleep isn't high on the agenda for Canadian travellers. Maybe it's because visitors spend so little time sleeping that the city also has some of the best travel deals. The average daily rate for hotels in Las Vegas is only $107 CDN- less than half of New York.

Chicago has literally blown away its competition in the last year, jumping from the number 10 spot in 2010, to number three in 2011. The Windy City has a wide variety of attractions for tourists alongside impressive views and architecture. It is also known as the 'City in a Garden,' and the perfect urban destination for eco-friendly travellers who are sure to appreciate all the green space. The average daily rate for hotels in Chicago comes in at $166 CDN.

Aside from our neighbours to the south 

London has been a long-standing favourite amongst Canadians who can't seem to resist this popular destination across the pond. This fast-paced city has great shops, a trendy music scene, and residents with charming accents - what's not to love? This summer stands to be a busy one for Londoners as it's also hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics, so if you're looking for a London hotel, do it now! Average daily hotel rates in London are $220 CDN.

Paris: For those who have visited the 'City of Love,' it's easy to see how it got its name. Visitors fall for the French culture, cuisine and European fashion. Paris is the type of place that can make even the little things, like a coffee and croissant in the morning, special. Travellers can book hotels in Paris for an average of $205 CDN per night.

Rome wasn't built in a day, and good thing too, otherwise this breathtaking city might not be what it is now. Besides the famous, and delicious, Italian cuisine, the city of Rome is also a stunning tribute to the past with classic historic sites like Vatican City - a definite must-see for first-time visitors. Accommodation in this historic city goes for average daily rate of $188 CDN.

Hong Kong may be a hub for business travellers, but that doesn't mean you should cross it off the list if you're planning some leisure travel. It may be a bit further than the other destinations, but the city is definitely worth the trip. Travel to Hong Kong guarantees flavourful food, scenic views and a fusion of modern culture and historic sites. Hotels in the city have an average daily rate of $165 CDN.

Top 20 International Destinations for Canadian Travellers
1	New York City
2	Las Vegas
3	Chicago
4	Seattle
5	Orlando
6	San Francisco
7	Boston
8	Los Angeles
9	London
10	Paris
11	San Diego
12	Miami
13	Honolulu
14	Newark
15	Rome
16	Fort Lauderdale
17	Anaheim
18	Hong Kong
19	Washington, D.C.
20	Atlantic City

Closing

We've all heard the saying 'Love Thy Neighbour,' and it turns out Canadians have taken these words quite seriously! Whether it is for the convenience, variety, shopping, or people, we expect that this is one trend that won't get old anytime soon.

For the HPI full report, featuring infographics, detailed maps, colourful photos and a regional breakdown, visit: www.hotel-price-index.com.

About the HPI™

The HPI tracks the real prices paid per room by hotels.com customers around the world using a weighted average based on the number of rooms sold in each of the markets that Hotels.com operates. The index started in 2004, and includes all bookings across the almost 149,000 properties in over 60 countries that make up the sample set of hotels from which prices are taken.

About Hotels.com®

Hotels.com(also known in Canada as Hotels.ca) is a leading online accommodation booking website with almost 149,000 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 benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry, negotiating the best rates for its customers, and offers frequent sales, special deals and promotions. There are more than 6.5 million guest reviews on the site from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers can make an informed choice when booking. Through its industry-leading loyalty program Welcome Rewards™, customers can earn a free night for every 10 nights stayed at more than 65,000 hotels. Under its Price Match Guarantee, if a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, hotels.com will refund the difference. Travellers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centres. 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/hotelsdotcomca, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcomcaand on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/hotelsdotcom. Hotels.com 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, Hotel Price Index, HPI, and the Hotels.com logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. © 2012 Hotels.com, LP. All rights reserved 

Image with caption: "The bright lights and energy of New York City continue to lure in Canadian travellers; making it the number one international destination for Canucks (CNW Group/Hotels.com)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120430_C8639_PHOTO_EN_12735.jpg

For further information:

Press contacts: 

Lauren Wasley
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Phone: [phone] ext. 19
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Taylor L. Cole, APR
hotels.com North America
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