Hotwire.com, released the August 2012 Hotwire Travel Savings Indicator, which features the top five cities in North America where hotel, air and car rental rates have dropped the most as compared to the same time last year
SAN FRANCISCO – Using extensive pricing research to cover the three most popular travel products, the report helps guide travelers to the best destinations for maximizing their travel dollars each month.
“With the weakening of the Euro against the dollar, many Americans are traveling further abroad, resulting in less traffic to popular Canadian cities like Vancouver and Montreal,” said Clem Bason, president of the Hotwire Group. “In addition, the hotter than normal temperatures across the US are also prompting price drops in many domestic destinations, making cities like Las Vegas a fantastic deal for a late-summer getaway.”
Hotel Price Drops
Folks looking for a last minute summer trip are in luck as Las Vegas returns to the top of the list this month with a big 11% price drop. Las Vegas, a great destination year-round, has its best deals in the summer off-season. With fewer conventions and fewer visitors, hotels are competing for business, driving rates down and making it easy for travelers to score a great deal.
Tucson, Ariz. and newcomer Lexington, Ky., are both seeing 9% drops with Tucson climbing up the list to second place. Tucson continues to experience a hotter than normal summer, which is deterring tourist and driving down prices. But folks who like the heat will get a great deal and can take advantage of relaxing at one of the many luxury resorts and spas or venture downtown to visit a variety of art galleries, museums and local shops, minus the crowds. For a little southern hospitality, folks can head to Lexington or the “horse capital of the world,” to try their luck at one of two historic horse tracks, Keeneland and Red Mile Harness Track, or stroll down main street to visit historic attractions like First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln’s family home.
Rounding out the top five hotel deal markets are two of the most popular and beautiful Canadian cities, Vancouver and Montreal, with eight and five percent price drops, respectively. Despite a decline in international tourists and a lack of large events and conventions in the area this summer, these Canadian hot spots are a steal, especially when paired with steep airfare drops.
When compared to this time last year, the top five hotel price reductions for August 2012 include:
| Rank | Hotel Market | Price Drops | Example of a Current Hotwire Deal | US$/Night |
| 1 | Las Vegas, NV | -11% | 4-star | $67 |
| 2 | Tucson, AZ | -9% | 4-star | $77 |
| 3 | Lexington, KY | -9% | 3-star | $68 |
| 4 | Vancouver, B.C. | -8% | 3.5-star | $91 |
| 5 | Montreal, Canada | -5% | 3.5-star | $94 |
Air Price Drops
Montreal joins the air price drop list for the first time this year with an 18% drop, complementing its place on the hotel price drop list as well. Newcomer Colorado Springs, Colo., dropped 12% this month. Home to Pike’s Peak, Colorado Springs is the perfect end-of-summer spot for hiking, fishing and other outdoor activities. Birmingham, Ala., returns to the list with an 11% drop, which is a great destination for football fans to kick-off the season with the annual Labor Day classic. Lastly, Vancouver, B.C., and Tampa, Fla., round out the top five largest airfare decreases with 10 and 9% drops.
When compared to this time last year, the top five airfare price reductions for August 2012 include:
| Rank | Air Market | Price Drops | Average Hotwire Airfare |
| 1 | Montreal, QC | -18% | $385 |
| 2 | Colorado Springs, CO | -12% | $289 |
| 3 | Birmingham, AL | -11% | $299 |
| 4 | Vancouver, B.C. | -10% | $389 |
| 5 | Tampa, FL | -9% | $244 |
Car Price Drops
There are stellar car rental deals all over the country, but this month’s list includes some particularly steep drops in several new cities. Topping the list with a 46% drop is Flushing, N.Y., home of the New York Mets’ Citi Field. Number two ranked Daytona Beach, Fla., and number three ranked Newark, N.J., have 36% and 29% price decreases, respectively. Billings, Mont., drops down the list from third to fourth place with a 25% decrease, while newcomer Jacksonville, Fla., joins at number five with a 24% drop.
When compared to this time last year, the top five car rental price reductions for August 2012 include:
| Rank | Car Rental Market | Price Drops | Average Hotwire Car Rental Price |
| 1 | Flushing, NY | -46% | $60 |
| 2 | Daytona Beach, FL | -36% | $25 |
| 3 | Newark, NJ | -29% | $40 |
| 4 | Billings, MT | -25% | $44 |
| 5 | Jacksonville, FL | -24% | $24 |
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
