India's hotel prices saw 6% rise in 2013: report

Even as 2013 was a challenging year for the hospitality sector, the average hotel prices in the country grew by 6% from the previous year at an average Rs 5,254 per night, according to a recent report.

Average hotel prices in 2012 stood at Rs 4,942 per night, according to the latest Hotels.Com's 'Hotel Price IndexTM'.

Macau recorded the highest increase of 29% to Rs 12,321 per night in Asia followed by Thailand 13% at Rs 5,667 and the Philippines 11% at Rs 6,420.

In spite of the fall in yen value, Japan saw 10% rise for Indian travellers at Rs 8,195, the report revealed.

Globally, Ireland, which became the first country to exit the Eurozone 85 billion euro bailout programme, saw the highest increase of 41% to Rs 8,216.

With price rise of 23% at Rs 13,567 per night, Russia was a country where Indian travellers paid the most.

Two other countries most impacted by the financial crisis saw a healthy revival in their rates, with Greece up 18% at Rs 8,435 and Portugal up 17% at Rs 5,784.

However, Poland was the only European destination in the region where Indian travellers paid the least with the prices declining by nine% to Rs 5,338 compared to 2012.

In Latin America, Mexico saw a 25% increase to Rs 8,475 per night with regard to the average hotel prices paid by Indian travellers.

The prices paid by Indians in both the US and Canada grew by 18% to Rs 9,446 and to Rs 9,017, respectively while South Africa tumbled by 12% to Rs 8,136 per night.

As per hotel prices paid in India during 2013, there were mixed results, amongst the major changes. Goa recorded a healthy rise of 9% to Rs 5,927, the report said.

Three destinations saw a four% rise in prices - Kolkata to Rs 6,433, Bengaluru to Rs 6,215 and Cochin to Rs 5,290 compared to 2012.

However, Chennai saw a decline of eight% to Rs 5,897, Hyderabad dropped by 7% to Rs 5,509 and Pune was down by 5% to Rs 5,243, the report revealed.

In the average price paid for a hotel room in India by visiting nationality, Europeans paid the highest.

Visitors from Belgium spend the most at Rs 6,363, up 25% from 2012, followed by Finland and Italy by 22% at Rs 6,187 and Rs 6,098, respectively.