[Bapun Raz]

Monday, September 26, 2011, 18:00 Hrs [IST]
Hotel room prices in India grew by one per cent in the first half of 2011: HPI report

By TBM Staff | Mumbai


Hotel room prices in India saw a modest increase of one per cent in the first half of 2011 over last year, making the country one of the cheapest destinations for travellers across the globe, as given in a 'Hotels Price Index' (HPI) report by Hotels.com. The report also mentioned that hotel room prices across the world have experienced pronounced volatility as a result of political turmoil and natural disasters during the first half of 2011. It said that the average price of a room around the world rose by just three per cent but this masked some steep rises and falls in regions affected by the historic events in the first six months of the year.

According to a PTI report, out of the 18 countries analysed, 11 experienced price rises, six price falls and there was no change in one. The report said the most expensive country was Switzerland, up 23 per cent to Rs 10, 525 while India was the cheapest nation in the survey with average room rate at Rs 4,202 after a modest one per cent rise in average room rate. The steepest rise came in Indonesia up 32 per cent to Rs 8,206 and the sharpest fall was in Austria down 17 per cent to Rs 6,484. The report stated that other factors such as currency strength and supply of rooms also impacted average room prices across the world.

The Hotels.com HPI is based on bookings made on Hotels.com sites around the world and tracks the real prices paid per hotel room (rather than advertised rates) for about 1,25,000 properties across more than 19,000 locations. The latest HPI looks at prices in the first half of 2011 compared to the same period last year. Hotels.com is part of Expedia Inc which provides reservation services for hotel rooms and other accommodation.