The average price per room increased by 3% during the first half of 2011, according to the Hotel Price Index (HPI) published by the global booking portal Hoteles.com.
Although this figure remains below the peak price reached in mid-2007, the industry is expected to continue an upward trend in the coming years.
Natural disasters and political instability affecting some regions of the world prevented a further increase in tariffs in 2011. For example, Asia/Pacific suffered a 6% decrease following the earthquake in Japan, while in North America there was an increase of 4%, and in Latin America the increase was 2%.
Importantly, Latin American hotel prices have risen for five consecutive quarters, a trend only repeated in North America, showing that the region's economic power is increasingly strengthened by Brazil's strong economy.
Precisely, Rio de Janeiro was ranked as one of the most expensive cities in Latin America to find a hotel room with an average of US $ 251 per night, which implies an increase of 21% compared to 2010.
David Roche, President of Hoteles.com, commented that "despite some exceptional price movements, it is important to underline that the global framework is one of gradual recovery, with many hotel prices similar to how they were 7 years ago."
