Alberta sizzles in 2012

The summer of 2012 proved a sizzling season for the Alberta hotel industry. According to HotelsCombined’s year-on-year price index, average nightly rates in the oil-laden province soared in comparison to the rest of Canada. Based on average hotel prices throughout June, July and August, all major Alberta destinations experienced significant hotel rate increases in summer 2012 compared to summer 2011, with an average upturn of 16%. Likely thanks to the 100th Anniversary of the Stampede, Calgary snagged the highest price increase in the country, with a 27% rise in the average nightly hotel rate of $134.88 in 2011 to $170.95 in 2012. Alberta hotel rate increases also included Lethbridge (+24%), Jasper (+14%), Edmonton (+13%), Lake Louise (+12%) and Banff (+5%). St. John’s was another standout with a hotel rate price increase of 25% from $149.02 in 2011 to $186.60 in 2012 — a sign that the Newfoundland capital is further strengthening as a tourist destination. Northern cities Yellowknife (+18%) and Whitehorse (+13%) similarly fared well. Across the rest of the country, hotel increases stayed relatively modest, with an average upturn of 7%. But it wasn’t good news for all of Canada’s hotels — with a 15% decrease in 2012 summer rates, Moncton experienced the biggest price downturn in North America. London, Ontario came in with the second-highest rate decline at 14%, followed by Montreal (-6%), Victoria (-6%) and Ottawa (-5%). For more, check out http://www.hotelscombined.com .