Hotwire Reveals Canadian Hotel Rate Report for May 2010

    
    Strengthening Canadian Dollar Drives Hotel Rate Drops and Great Deals





    
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<p><span class="xn-location">SAN FRANCISCO</span>, <span class="xn-chron">May 12</span> /CNW/ -- Hotwire.com®, a leading discount travel site, today announced the results of the <span class="xn-chron">May 2010</span> Hotwire® Canadian Hotel Rate Report, which features the top five cities in <span class="xn-location">Canada</span> where hotel rates have dropped the most. When combined with Hotwire's already discounted prices, the Hotel Rate Report helps guide customers to the destinations that will maximize their travel dollars. <span class="xn-location">Edmonton</span> tops this month's rate report with an 11 percent drop, and after a six-month absence, <span class="xn-location">Vancouver</span> makes a welcome return with a 3 percent drop.</p>
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<p>Hotel prices across <span class="xn-location">Canada</span> continue to fall as many popular destinations are still seeing declines in leisure travel that traditionally fills up rooms this time of year. This trend is being driven by the strength of the Canadian dollar against both the U.S. dollar and Euro. Travelers appear to be choosing destinations where they can get more native currency in exchange for their money, causing hoteliers in cities like <span class="xn-location">Halifax</span> and <span class="xn-location">Vancouver</span> to drop prices to compensate.</p>
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<p>In addition to the exchange rate effects, cities like <span class="xn-location">Edmonton</span> and <span class="xn-location">Ottawa</span> are not seeing a return in business travelers, which is causing hotels to slash rates even further in those areas. So for travelers looking to stay closer to home this summer, they are bound to find a destination that suits their budget and taste, whether it is scenic Niagara Falls, history-rich <span class="xn-location">Halifax</span> or the country's capital, <span class="xn-location">Ottawa</span>.</p>
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<p>Hotwire is able to find great deals because it works with hotels, airlines and car rental companies to fill unsold inventory. This means customers will find incredibly low deals on Hotwire, especially in cities like those on the Hotel Rate Report where prices are unseasonably low.</p>
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<p>When compared to the same time last year, the top five hotel price reductions for <span class="xn-chron">May 2010</span> include:</p>
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                           Price      Example of a Current Hotwire
    Rank   Hotel Market    Drop       Deal, CAD$/Night
    1      Edmonton, AL          11%  3-star                         $96
    2      Halifax, NS            9%  3-star                         $76
    3      Ottawa, ON             8%  3-star                         $90
            Niagara
    4       Falls, ON             5%  3-star                         $97
    5      Vancouver, BC          3%  3-star                         $92


    
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<p>"Leisure destinations across <span class="xn-location">Canada</span> are offering some great deals this month on Hotwire," said Clem Bason, President of the Hotwire Group. "As long as the Canadian dollar stays strong against international currencies, travelers should continue to see low hotel prices throughout the summer."</p>
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    About the Hotwire Hotel Rate Report

    
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<p>The Hotwire Hotel Rate Report will run results during the first week of each month. Results are calculated by looking at Hotwire stay dates for select regions in the current month, and comparing prices in the current month against Hotwire prices in the same month in the prior year. Prices are compared within the same star rating categories for consistency, and the percent change in price for each region is generated as an overall average of the changes in those categories. The prices in the chart above are examples for a particular star rating category within that market, and actual prices may be higher or lower than the example that is provided.</p>
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    About Hotwire

    
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<p>Hotwire.com is a leading discount travel site with low rates on airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. Launched in 2000, Hotwire negotiates deep discounts from its travel suppliers to help travelers book unsold airline seats, hotel rooms and rental cars. J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Independent Travel Web Site Satisfaction Study(SM) recognized Hotwire for ranking "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Independent Travel Web Sites, Three Years in a Row." Hotwire is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. CST: 2053390-40. NST: 20003-0209. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.hotwire.com/">http://www.hotwire.com/</a>.</p>
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<p>Hotwire, Hotwire.com and the Hotwire logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotwire, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2010 Hotwire, Inc. All rights reserved. CST# 2053390-40.</p>
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    Contact:
    Chris Fucanan
    Atomic PR
    [phone]
    [email protected]








    

For further information: Chris Fucanan, Atomic PR, [phone], [email protected], for Hotwire.com Web Site: http://www.hotwire.com