Europe: Year-on-year hotel rates significantly lower than in 2009 | Trivago reports

The trivago Hotel Price Index (tHPI) September 2009

European hotel prices have risen this month for the first time since May. In September, overnight costs in a standard double room have reached an average of 95 pounds – an 8 percent increase over last month. Nevertheless, in comparison to September 2009, prices across Europe are significantly lower, with British travellers aided even further by a much more favorable exchange rate. These are the findings of the trivago Hotel Price Index (tHPI), which is published monthly by the hotel price comparison site www.trivago.co.uk.

In September, travellers will be paying 7 pounds more on average than in August for an overnight stay in one of Europe’s main cities. From 88 pounds in August, the rates for a standard double room have risen 8 percent in September to 95 pounds. The same room a year ago amounted to 106 pounds, however, meaning that conditions for travellers are still better than they were last year. In the UK, the majority of cities followed these trends, with prices noticeably higher than last month, but averaging much lower than in September 2009.

Rising overnight costs in the UK

September hotel prices rose across the entire UK, in line with the tendency of most travellers to favor city destinations during the early autumn months. Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham all registered price hikes of 11%, while Cardiff, Newcastle and Manchester experienced price increments of between 16% and 30%. Notable exceptions included Edinburgh, where prices plunged 33 percent to 121 pounds, and Glasgow, where hotel costs fell 5 percent to 87 pounds, following the end of last month’s popular International Festival. London also experienced a decline for the second month in a row, falling an additional 6 percent to 129 pounds per night – its lowest point since March 2010 and a refreshing change for the capital.

Conditions for UK travellers heading to Europe more favorable than a year ago

Despite increasing hotel prices across Europe from August to September, European hotel costs remain much lower than in September 2009, and a currently more advantageous GBP-Euro exchange rate has enhanced the disparity. This has resulted in year-on-year price declines of between 7% and 35% in 40 of the tHPI’s 50 cities, meaning that British travellers visiting the continent are paying significantly less than they were last year. The biggest price changes are to be found in Bucharest, Brussels, and Athens, where prices are 34%, 30%, and 21% lower than in 2009. German destinations are also more attractive, with Frankfurt (-36%), Cologne (-24%), and Munich (-23%) all offering greatly reduced prices in comparison to last year. Only two Eastern European cities presented noticeable price increases from last year: Istanbul (+8%, 104 pounds) and Krakow (+7%, 71 pounds).

Key events and conferences contribute to rising prices in European cities

Major events and conferences in September contributed to the rise in European overnight costs, with Italy being particularly affected. Venice’s 67th annual Film Festival has led to a 33 percent increase in prices (159 pounds), while Milan’s Fashion Week similarly resulted in a 24 percent growth in hotel prices this month (104 pounds). Other cities also experienced significant price increments in comparison to the previous month, including Paris (+26%, 135 pounds), Seville (+31%, 77 pounds), and Granada (+38%, 75 pounds).

An overview of the average hotel prices in Europe, as well as several graphics and data charts can be found at: www.trivago.co.uk/hotelprices

The www.trivago.co.uk hotel price index shows the average overnight accommodation prices for the most popular European cities on trivago. Prices for a standard double room are calculated on the basis of 160,000 daily price inquiries for overnight hotel stays generated through the trivago hotel price comparison service. trivago stores all hotel enquiries for each month and therefore gives an overview of hotel accommodation prices for the upcoming month. The tHPI reflects the hotel prices within the European online hotel market: The overnight accommodation prices of 53 online travel agents and hotel chains create the average hotel prices for cities, regions and countries within Europe.

Subscribe to the monthly trivago price index by emailing: thpi@trivago.com