Travellers can maximise savings by booking hotels early

Savvy travellers can save about 20 per cent on hotels across the world if they book during periods between May and July, according to a new survey.
According to the TripAdvisor's 'Best Time to Book' report booking a hotel within three months of the trip is the best time in Asia when travellers can save 24 per cent versus peak pricing.
Also, travellers can save 19 per cent on hotel bookings made in Mumbai if they book within 3 months.
The travel planning and booking site based its research on hotel booking and meta click data and found that the best time periods to book can vary depending on the region or city where the traveller is looking to visit for summer and that for most destinations, the hotel rates change gradually over time, without dramatic increases or decreases in price.

"For example, the least expensive time to book hotels in Asia is within 3 months, when travellers can save 24 per cent compared to the most expensive booking period. In comparison, for European hotels, the best time to book is between 2-5 months ahead, when travellers can save 26 per cent compared to the peak period," the research says.
The least expensive time to book hotels in the USA is within 2 months of the trip but hotel prices remain fairly consistent throughout the year, with a relatively modest potential savings of 8 per cent when booking during the least expensive time period.

"For the cost conscious Indian traveller, the 'Best time to book' report answers the most important question - when to book your hotel stay in order to maximise your savings for summer travel this year," says Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager, TripAdvisor India.

"The report sheds light on the best time to book hotels on TripAdvisor for various regions and cities, and savings that one can expect to make the most of your trip."
An analysis of hotel booking and interest in nine popular regions around the world for the summer months of May, June and July revealed that the best time to book was defined as periods when hotel prices were less than the average for the destination.

For summer trips in the Caribbean region, the preferred time to book hotels will be within 5 months when travellers can save 8 per cent compared to the peak pricing periods and in Central America, within 2 months is the most cost-effective approach to save up to 11 per cent.
Tourists can save as big as 21 to 27 per cent on a South American and Middle East trip respectively by making their bookings within 3 months in advance.
African and South Pacific hotels can be booked at prices lower by 20 per cent if reserved 5 months in advance of the travel dates.