Hotel Price Index Reveals Canadian Hotel Prices Surpassed Global Average

TORONTO, Sept. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - Hotel prices in Canada increased during the first half of 2014, rising five per cent compared to the same period last year according to the latest Hotels.com™ Hotel Price Index^TM (HPI™), a biannual report of hotel prices paid around the globe. This change is in line with North America's overall five per cent increase in average hotel prices and ahead of the global average increase of four per cent.

"Hotel prices in North America continue to rise with Canada topping the global average," said Neha Parikh, vice president, Hotels.com North America. "Sports, cultural events and festivities such as World Pride brought people to Canada in the first half of the year with international travellers favouring Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal."

Top Canadian Performers

When visiting Canada, foreign travellers had similar tastes to Canadians in choosing which cities to explore. The most pronounced difference was international travellers' preference for West Coast Vancouver over French-speaking Montreal. Large cities like Toronto, where Canadians paid an average rate of $152 per night, Vancouver at $157 and Montreal at $168, remained the top three Canadian cities for both foreign and domestic visitors.

Canadian Travel Habits

New York City and Las Vegas, with average room rates of $267 and $126 per night, have been engaged in an ongoing battle for the hearts of Canadians and this doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. In the first half of 2014, The Big Apple took the number one spot on the list of the 50 Most Popular International Cities for Canadians. On the same list, the most impressive jump in popularity belonged to Madrid ($144 per night), up 13 places to number 33, signaling the strengthening of the European economy.

Best Value Five Star Hotels

For the second year in a row, Warsaw, Poland offered Canadian travellers the best value for five-star hotels at an average rate of $152 per night. However, the biggest jump in five-star value was seen in Bangkok, Thailand ($157 per night) landing at number two on the list of Best Five-Star Values for Canadian Travellers up from number eight last year. This was due to a 21 per cent decrease in five-star prices paid, likely as a result of political unrest in the first half of the year. Berlin ($200 per night) and Beijing ($218 per night) also made the list of Best Five-Star Values for Canadian Travellers and the list of Most Popular International Cities for Canadians. In contrast, at an average price paid of $573 per night, Canadian city, Montreal, topped the list of global cities Where Canadian Travellers Paid the Most for Five-Star Hotels, beating out Tokyo and Los Angeles which held the second and third spots respectively.

For more information on Canada-specific results, please visit www.hotel-price-index.com/2014/fall/ca.

Start planning your next getaway to one of these trending cities and book on-the-go by downloading the Hotels.com mobile app for exclusive savings. Or join the conversation by following Hotels.com on Twitter @hotelsdotcomca using #HotelExperts to learn travel tips and trends.

About the HPI™

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.

About Hotels.com (http://www.hotels.com)

Hotels.com, L.P. (also known in Canada as Hotels.ca) operates Hotels.com, a leading online accommodation booking website with nearly 325,000 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. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals.

© 2014 Hotels.com, LP. Hotels.com, Hotel Price Index, HPI, The Obvious Choice, and the Hotels.com logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. CST # 2083949-50

Image with caption: "Montreal moves to first place globally for cities where Canadian travellers paid the most for five-star hotels (CNW Group/Hotels.com)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140903_C3644_PHOTO_EN_5294.jpg

SOURCE: Hotels.com

For further information: Press contacts: Lauren Wasley, energi PR for Hotels.com, Phone: [phone] ext. 19, Email: [e-mail], Twitter: @energiPR; Taylor L. Cole, APR, Hotels.com North America, Phone: [phone], Email: [e-mail], Twitter: @TravelwithTLC