Lodging Rates Up in Many Top Destinations for Canadians

Canadian travelers spent more for hotel overnight accommodations in the majority of international destinations they visited last year, although they were able to find some strong price values in Asia and the U.S.

Eighteen U.S. cities scored in the Top 50 list for Canadian travelers, Hotels.com said, with 12 cities experiencing average prices decline in 2017.

Part of the drop was the result of a stronger Canadian dollar in the U.S., but still, cities like Los Angeles and Honolulu saw average price drops of 7 percent; Washington, D.C., reflected a 6 percent drop. New York City, Canadian travelers’ most popular international destination, registered a 2 percent drop in the company’s Hotel Price Index (HPI).

In Europe, a weakened British pound contributed to a drop of 3 percent for London overnight accommodations. Paris was the second most popular European destination for Canadians, and its average was up 3 percent. Amsterdam and Barcelona experienced rising visitor numbers, and both destinations saw their average prices rise by 7 percent last year.

The highest rise in price in the region last year was Prague, with a 13 percent increase; Lisbon recorded a 10 percent increase. Santorini was the highest priced European destination for Canadian visitors at $266 – up 10 percent since 2016.

Meanwhile, seven Asian destinations landed in the Canadian top 10 for lowest average price paid in 2017. Tokyo recorded a 7 percent drop in overnight costs; and Chiang Mai, Thailand had the best value, with an average of $64 a night. Hong Kong was the most popular Asian destination, and Canadians paid 4 percent more there last year on average.

Bali, which experienced some hiccups last fall when Mount Agung rumbled for several weeks, finished 2017 with an average price increase of 9 percent.

HPI prices are what Hotels.com customers paid per room, per night, based on double occupancy, including taxes and fees. The HPI shows the changes in actual prices paid by Canadian consumers, reflecting both movements in exchange rates and accommodation pricing.