Sun and Sand is worth the Splurge

Hotels.com Report Shows Canadian Travel Spending Skyrockets in sunny destinations

TORONTO, March 25, 2015 /CNW/ - After two years of less than stellar winters, the upcoming spring weather is a welcome relief. The east coast, in particular, experienced record-breaking snowfall with Moncton, Saint John and Charlottetown getting enough to mark its place in the top five, according to the Weather Network.  With all this chilly news, you can't blame Canadians for heading south to warmer weather and according to the latest Hotels.com™ Hotel Price Index™ (HPI™) that's also where they're choosing to spend the big bucks.

"Island destinations known for their crystal clear waters and idyllic beaches are the preferred retreat for Canadians who don't mind spending a little extra for sand, sun and luxurious accommodation," says Taylor L. Cole, APR, travel expert for Hotels.com. "The big difference between these island retreats over many of the popular resort destinations is that they typically focus more on exclusive experiences for the high-end traveller."

Which Countries Commanded the Big Bucks?
The islands of Turks and Caicos had the highest average hotel rates globally, with Canadians paying a healthy $480CAD per night. As the only country to break the $400* mark, it's a favourite getaway for the rich and famous. Oprah and Rolling Stones guitarist, Keith Richards, are just a few notable celebrities with homes here.

Most Expensive Countries for Canadian Travellers
Country	2014 ADR	2013 ADR	YoY ADR
Turks And Caicos Islands	$        480	$        338	42%
St. Lucia	$        399	$        319	25%
French Polynesia	$        385	$        365	6%
Antigua And Barbuda	$        339	$        291	17%
Bermuda	$        338	$        287	18%

Steamy Cities South of the Border
Warm weather destinations dominated the list of most expensive cities for Canadian travellers (alongside the usual suspects of New York and Geneva) recording rates upwards of $250 a night. Cities in Hawaii, California and Florida were included, along with Paradise Island, Punta Cana, Rio de Janeiro, and Ocho Rios.

Warm Weather Cities over $250 a night
City	Prov/State	Country	2014 ADR	2013 ADR	YoY ADR
Wailea (Maui)	HI	U.S.	$          481	$          460	5%
Paradise Island		Bahamas	$          397	$          341	17%
Lahaina	HI	U.S.	$          334	$          298	12%
Koloa	HI	U.S.	$          333	$          352	-5%
Key West	FL	U.S.	$          326	$          270	21%
Punta Cana		Dominican Republic	$          319	$          298	7%
Palo Alto	CA	U.S.	$          308	$          228	35%
Rio de Janeiro		Brazil	$          276	$          285	-3%
Napa	CA	U.S.	$          268	$          231	16%
Ocho Rios		Jamaica	$          263	$          192	37%

If you're looking for a warm weather escape without paying top dollar, check out the International Destinations Sale for deals in Hawaii, Northern California and more. For more HPI travel insights, visit www.hotel-price-index.com or reach out on Twitter at @hotelsdotcomca using #HotelExperts.

*All prices in Canadian Dollars

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
Hotels.com, L.P. operates Hotels.com (also known in Canada as Hotels.ca), a leading online accommodation booking website with approximately 435,000 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.

© 2015 Hotels.com, LP. Hotels.com, The Obvious Choice, Hotel Price Index, HPI 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.

SOURCE Hotels.com

Image with caption: "The breathtaking beaches in St Lucia make it a dream getaway for Canadian travellers (CNW Group/Hotels.com)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150325_C4868_PHOTO_EN_13525.jpg

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