Chinese hotel prices set to fall
The prices of hotels in several major Chinese cities are set to drop in the coming months, according to the latest Asia-Pacific hotel rates indicator published by Wotif.com.
The online travel agent released figures April 8 which showed that Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai are all set to fall in price between now and June as hot, humid weather between May and September lowers travel demand.
Rates in Guangzhou will fall particularly sharply, said Wotif.com's Matthew Varley, with rates 40 percent lower by June at an average of just $102 a night.
Several other destinations in Asia-Pacific have seen month-on-months price drops between March and April, according to the firm's figures.
Particularly noticeable was the sharp decline in prices in Thailand's Phuket (5575THB/$185 on average this month, down from 6827THB/$227 in March), where prices are predicted to continue dropping over the next months, and Cambodia's Siem Riep, where the average cost of a bed for a night has fallen from $112 to $96.
Australia, now heading into its winter season, also offers slightly cheaper rates, with prices in Melbourne ($218), Perth ($239), and Sydney ($222) all slightly cheaper this month.
In the Gold Coast, however, rates have risen slightly (to just over $200) and Varley warned travellers to "book sooner rather than later, because prices there will go up in June with increased demand as it’s a popular school holiday retreat for locals too."
Asia-Pacific's most expensive destinations - April 2011
1. Langkawi, Malaysia $275
2. Singapore $255
3. Perth, Australia $239
4. Bali, Indonesia $228
5. Tokyo, Japan $227
6. Sydney, Australia $222
7. Melbourne, Australia $218
Data provided by Wotif.com
http://www.wotif.com
