Global prices rise to levels not seen since 2006

Global prices rise to levels not seen since 2006

• Lake Tekapo most expensive destination in NZ, up 5% to $190 a night

Auckland, 10 September 2013 – The latest Hotels.com® Hotel Price Index™ (HPI) has found the average price of a hotel room around the world rose by 2% during the first six months of 2013 compared with the same period the previous year. The rise, although relatively small, maintained a trend of slowly increasing rates seen since the start of 2010, with average prices now close to their 2006 levels, before the global financial crisis began.

Despite this modest increase in global hotel prices, New Zealand travellers spent less in half of the international destinations included in the HPI. Of the 31 cities included in the report, average prices paid were down in 18, flat in one and up in 12.

The biggest savings were to be made in Apia, Samoa, where prices fell 17% to $139 a night. Prices were also down in Dubai by 16% to $194 and in Vancouver, down 11% to $190 per night. Despite a 9% increase, the cheapest international city for NZ travellers was Bangkok at $106 per night.

New York, traditionally the US destination where New Zealand travellers pay the most, experienced a 5% drop in average prices to $317, although the city still maintained its spot as the most expensive city in the HPI and the most popular US city for New Zealanders. Paris and Venice, popular Europe holiday destinations, experienced the biggest price rises. Hotel rates in Venice were up 22% to average $261 and Paris prices rose 16% to $257 per night.

The biggest percentage price rises in H1 2013 compared with H1 2012 in NZD

The biggest percentage price falls in H1 2013 compared with H1 2012 in NZD

Spotlight on New Zealand

Overall, travellers visiting New Zealand paid 4% less on accommodation, averaging $147 per night. Franz Josef Glacier experienced the largest price fall in the country with average hotel rates down 10% to $148, however, price movements in most destinations were minor.

Johan Svanstrom, Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific for Hotels.com, said: “Although average hotel rates dipped slightly, we expect rates to grow in the next six to twelve months as strong inbound tourism continues and the New Zealand tourism industry seeks to capitalise on the growing Chinese market.”

Major cities all registered healthy increases with Queenstown up 8% to $181, Christchurch up 7% to $163, Wellington saw a 5% boost to $143 and a 3% increase took Auckland to $139. Lake Tekapo, which experienced a 5% increase to an average of $190 per night, ranked as New Zealand’s most expensive destination.

Napier registered the highest price rise in the country with average rates up 11% to $167 but overall Palmerston North was the most affordable destination in the country with average rates unchanged from the same period last year at $110 per night.

Average hotel prices in H1 2013 compared with H1 2012 in NZD:

North Island

South Island

-Ends-

Notes to editors

*This section of the HPI New Zealand version shows New Zealand hotel prices per room per night as paid by all travellers in New Zealand Dollars, comparing prices paid in the first half of 2013 with same period the previous year.

**These sections of the HPI New Zealand version shows New Zealand hotel prices per room per night as paid by New Zealand travellers in New Zealand Dollars, comparing prices paid in the first half of 2013 with same period the previous year.

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