UK travellers are failing to benefit from the global decrease in hotel prices because of the weak pound, according to the latest Hotels.com hotel price index.
The average price of a hotel room around the world fell by 12% last year, the report found. Prices in North America saw the hardest hit, falling 12% in the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to the previous year. Prices in Europe fared better, falling 10%.
In the Caribbean and Latin America, prices fell 7%, while Asia saw just a 2% decrease.
However, the weakness of the pound has meant that UK travellers did not necessarily benefit from the price falls. In many destinations, prices paid by UK travellers were up.
In the Eurozone, the price paid by Brits in Italy and Ireland fell but increased everywhere else.
Prices for UK holidaymakers rose the most in Switzerland, where the Swiss Franc held its own against the pound.
Hotels.com president David Roche said: “Room rates dropped significantly in the final three months of last year as hoteliers around the world cut prices to fill their rooms.
“The good news is that there are many bargains to be had for travellers. This year really will be the year of the deal.”
The Hotels.com price index tracks the actual price paid for rooms, rather than advertised rates. It is based on prices paid by customers for 68,000 hotels across 12,500 locations.