Just when you thought you’d finished reading all travel trends for 2015, TripAdvisor released the results of the TripBarometer study that show hotel rates could be on the rise.
Unveiled today, the study found confidence in the hotel industry has climbed so much that hoteliers will be increasing rates.
Three out of four businesses say they’re feeling optimistic about profitability in 2015. This is up from two in three in 2013.
Half of all businesses intend to increase their room rates in 2015 – a strong sign of health in the sector.
Just over a third of businesses plan to raise rates by between three- to- 10 percent, with resorts the most likely to plan increases.
Just over one third of businesses plan on increasing rates by up to 10 percent.
Australia will join South Africa (72 percent), Austria (68 percent) and Brazil (68 percent) with 55 percent of local hoteliers likely to introduce an increase to room rates.
Surprisingly however, accommodation in China will see the biggest reductions in 2015, with 18 percent of hoteliers planning to decrease room rates, by up to 10 percent.
The study also found that Australians are planning on booking longer holidays this year and increasing the amount they spend on getaways.
This year, Australians surveyed said they plan on spending an average of $14,900 on a holiday – up 19 percent compared to last year.
The study also found more Australians will be spending more on their holidays this year.
Of those spending more, over half will increase their budget because they’re planning a longer trip and an equal portion said it was because they are going somewhere on their ‘wish list’.
And where are they heading with this extra dough?
Thirty six percent more Australian leisure travellers said they’re keen on heading overseas.
Meanwhile, Australia is high on the list for many international travellers, with 29 percent of global holidaymakers saying they would love to visit the land Down Under in the next two years.
Specifically, Australia is considered the number one dream destination for several nationalities including Brits, Germans, Canadians, Swiss, Portuguese and Austrians, while the top dream destination for Aussies is Canada.
Globally, the average number of international leisure trips is set to increase by 15 percent in 2015. Travellers in Turkey, India and New Zealand are showing the highest increase in the average number of international trips they are planning this year.