Flash sales boost Port Douglas

HotelClub has released its first annual Hotel Index highlighting the top 10 domestic and international destinations for Australians travelling during the Christmas holiday season.

Results track both the most popular destinations booked by Australian members as well as the hotel pricing trends for each city compared to the same travel period last year.

Popular domestic destinations like Melbourne, Gold Coast and Sydney remain consistent favourites while Port Douglas rose seven spots from last year to make its first appearance in the top 10.

Queensland hot spots Cairns and Sunshine Coast slipped this year, in line with their higher average hotel rates. Darwin, the only capital city not featured in the top 10, dropped one place to 11.

This year, international travel provides the best value for Australians with US destinations offering cheaper average hotel prices and more deals compared to last year.

Both Hawaii and Los Angeles moved up four spots so that American cities comprise 40% of the top 10.

Travelling to New Zealand continues to increase with Auckland and Queenstown both rising in the top 10.

Other key highlights from the HotelClub Hotel Index for top Christmas holiday destinations include:

– Aside from Melbourne and Adelaide, year on year average hotel rates have risen in all of the top domestic cities.

– Adelaide, Brisbane and Cairns offer the best domestic value with average daily hotel rates under $140.

– The most popular international spot, Bali, rose 31% year on year, while the number two spot, Phuket, decreased 21% year on year.

– Bangkok is the best priced and only international city under $100 with an average hotel rate of $93.

Said Jeremy Bellinghausen, president, HotelClub,“This year we’ve focused a lot of our marketing efforts on our weekly flash sales, with a strong push to domestic locations.

“One of our most well-received deals was for 50% off the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort, which contributed to this city’s debut in the top 10.

“Adelaide is also becoming more popular as more of our Australian members visit South Australia for its growing food and wine scene as well as its relatively low average hotel prices compared to other capital cities.

“Unfortunately Tokyo has dropped out of the top 10 international cities due to the lack of consumer confidence in travelling to Japan following a year of terrible natural disasters.

“However, the strong Australian dollar has seen US cities soar in popularity and we’re seeing American hotels respond to this with better value pricing.

“New York City is a prime example of this with average hotel prices dropping well below $300, a bargain in this traditionally expensive destination.”