Hotel room rates plunge in 2016

Perth hotel prices fell by 11.5 per cent in 2016, with demand for lodgings continuing to cool along with Western Australia’s economy.

Research released today by Hotels.com showed the average price of a hotel room in Perth paid by international travellers in 2016 was $170 per night, down from $193/night in 2015.

The Hotels.com data, which provided a snapshot of selected destinations, showed Townsville was the only Australian city where prices fell further.

Domestically, interstate visitors to WA paid an average of $164/night, down 11 per cent on 2015.

Hotels.com’s Australia and New Zealand marketing manager, David Spasovic, said prices in Perth, Darwin and Townsville had likely been originally inflated by the mining boom of previous years.

Hotel prices for international travellers remained unchanged in Sydney at $221/night, and the Whitsundays, at $257/night.

In Brisbane, international tourists paid an average of $149/night.

Mr Spasovic said the year ahead looked strong for international travel to Australia.

“Interest in Australia will continue to grow as increased air routes open our country to more corners of the globe,” he said.