Global hotel prices paid by travellers worldwide rose by just 1% in 2015, according to latest Hotel Price Index from Hotels.com. British globetrotters enjoyed lower prices in over half of the destinations featured in the Index due to the increased strength of the pound.
LONDON – There was good news for UK travellers coming from the latest Hotel Price Index (HPI) from Hotels.com with average prices paid* per night for hotel accommodation up only 1% globally in 2015 as compared to 2014. Specifically, British travellers enjoyed lower average hotel prices in over half (64) of the 100 popular destinations with the strength of the Pound increasing across the globe.
The global Index sat at 114 for 2015 and is closing the gap on the previous peak of 117 in 2007, the year before the global economic crisis. North America drove the global increase as the only region to see hotel prices rise (up 3%) throughout 2015 with the Index hitting 119, exceeding its pre-recession high of 117 in 2007.
The HPI is a regular report on hotel prices in major destinations across the world, tracking the movement in prices that people actually paid* for their accommodation and providing valuable insight into the reasons behind these changes. The data is drawn from bookings made on the hundreds of thousands of hotels on the Hotels.com websites worldwide.
Isabelle Pinson, VP Marketing for EMEA of the Hotels.com brand, said: “The value of Sterling may have dropped this year but there are still plenty of bargains to be found out there for anyone wanting to stretch their wings beyond these shores. Our HPI data provides consumers with easy access to information on hotel prices paid around the world to enable them to do just that.”
Europe proves popular
Many European hotspots from Russia and Estonia in the North, to Mediterranean favourites such as France, Italy and Spain in the South saw a modest decrease in average prices paid. Due to the falling Rouble, Moscow in particular saw a significant decrease, which dropped over a quarter (-27%) from the previous year. In total, Britons paid less in 42 of the 57 most popular European destinations compared to the previous year.
North America continued to increase
It was a different story in the US however, due to the continuing strength of the US Dollar. In fact, it was only New York out of the 13 most popular US destinations that saw a marginal decrease in average prices paid (down 2% to £177). Lake Buena Vista near Orlando, Florida meanwhile saw the most significant rise jumping 21% (£122 in 2014 to £148 in 2015).
Best value destination for British travellers
UK travellers were able to part with less throughout numerous Asian destinations in Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan and Singapore. It was predominantly popular destinations throughout Thailand that saw a decrease in rates, including areas such as Pattaya (-15%), Chiang Mai (-6%), Phuket (-16%), Krabi (-5%) and Koh Samui (-3%).
The Pound also stretched significantly further last year for those visiting popular Australian destinations as room rates paid dropped 7% in Sydney and 6% in Melbourne.
Isabelle Pinson added: “Following a record year for world tourism in 2015, Brits can look forward to another season of globetrotting this year. A little knowledge goes a long way and we hope that our HPI data provides travelers with the inspiration and the knowledge to help make a decision on where to go that little bit easier.”
Average prices paid per night by UK travellers in selected European destinations in 2015 as compared to 2014 
Average prices paid per night by UK travellers in selected North American destinations in 2015 as compared to 2014 
Average prices paid per night by UK travellers in selected Asia Pacific destinations in 2015 as compared to 2014 
Average prices paid per night by UK travellers in selected global destinations in 2015 as compared to 2014
*Average prices paid per night inclusive of taxes and fees.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
