• HotelClub Hotel Index looks at top 10 Asian growth cities
(TRAVPR.COM) AUSTRALIA - December 19th, 2011 - HotelClub today released its year-end Hotel Index revealing the highest Asian growth cities for Australian members in 2011. The results look at the largest increases in hotel room night bookings for the first 11 months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.
This year Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on the island of Borneo, took top spot as the largest growth destination with highest room night increase compared to 2010. Coming in at number two was South Korea’s second city of Busan and rounding out the top 10 was Nha Trang, Vietnam.
Most of the top 10 destinations saw an increase in average daily hotel rates, but two spots that remained the same or better value for members were Manila, with no rate change year on year, and Mumbai, with a 2% daily hotel rate decrease from last year.
While traditional Asians destinations like Singapore and Bali remained consistent with HotelClub travellers, Australian members branched out to less well-known destinations that are as popular for their adventurous activities, like trekking in Chiang Mai and diving in Lombok, as they are for their beautiful landscapes.
Australians have historically had an affinity with Asia due to its close geographic proximity and the strong Aussie dollar, but in recent years it’s become even easier and cheaper to travel farther afield.
“We’re watching the competitive low-cost airline space with interest as the recent announcement of Scoot’s first route from Sydney to Singapore next year rivals other offerings from Jetstar, Air Asia and Virgin Australia’s new partnership with Singapore Airlines,” said Jeremy Bellinghausen, President, HotelClub.
“For accommodation, our Australian members are benefiting from better infrastructure in more remote places and the arrival of new brand-name hotels that are catering for the influx of tourists. One of our newest properties is the Four Points by Sheraton Resort in Langkawi, which opened in November,” continued Bellinghausen. “Our focus on increasing hotel inventory plus strong marketing activities and providing the best deals, from flash sales to group buying offers, for our members will hopefully drive even more travel to Asia in 2012.”
HotelClub Hotel Index: Top 10 Asian Growth Cities for Australian Travellers in 2011
1 January – 30 November 2011
YOY Change
Rank
City
Average Daily Hotel Rate
Average Daily Hotel Rate
1
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
$132
-3%
2
Busan, South Korea
$116
22%
3
Lombok, Indonesia
$97
15%
4
Manila, Philippines
$98
0%
5
Mumbai, India
$167
-2%
6
Langkawi, Malaysia
$189
14%
7
Chiang Mai, Thailand
$79
19%
8
Penang, Malaysia
$116
17%
9
Jakarta, Indonesia
$117
19%
10
Nha Trang, Vietnam
$120
17%
Arial
* All figures based on hotel bookings on HotelClub.com. City rankings based on % increase in room nights from 1 January – 30 November 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Figures based on Australians travelling to Asia with a minimum of 100 room nights booked per destination in 2011. Average hotel rates are based on standalone hotel bookings on HotelClub. All currencies are in AUD.
About HotelClub
HotelClub is a world leading global accommodation website, which was established in 1996. HotelClub provides over 73,000 accommodation choices in over 7,400 cities worldwide throughout 141 countries. Through its unique rewards program, HotelClub Rewards, members earn Member Rewards (1 Member Reward = 1 USD) of up to 7% of the value of every booking made, which can then be redeemed on future hotel bookings. The company operates three websites – HotelClub.com, RatesToGo.com and AsiaHotels.com. HotelClub is part of Orbitz Worldwide Inc (NYSE: OWW), a leading online travel company.
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