Hotwire Reveals Canadian Hotel Rate Report for February 2010

    
    Calgary Tops Rate Report for Third Consecutive Month




    
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<p><span class="xn-location">SAN FRANCISCO</span>, <span class="xn-chron">Feb. 17</span> /CNW/ -- Hotwire.com®, a leading discount travel site, today announced the results of the <span class="xn-chron">February 2010</span> Hotwire® Canadian Hotel Rate Report. This monthly report features the top five cities in <span class="xn-location">Canada</span> where hotel rates have dropped the most. When combined with Hotwire's already discounted prices, the Hotel Rate Report helps guide customers to the destinations that will maximize their travel dollars. For the third consecutive month, <span class="xn-location">Calgary</span> tops the list with a drop of twelve percent.   Meanwhile, the popular destinations of Niagara Falls and <span class="xn-location">Quebec</span> City follow closely with drops of nine percent and five percent respectively.</p>
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<p>With the Winter Olympics in full-swing, Canadians looking to get away from the crowds have a number of great options available outside of British Columbia. Winter sports enthusiasts can look to <span class="xn-location">Calgary</span> for amazing access to popular mountains and even better deals. Corporate business remains relatively slow there, causing hotel prices to fall.  And for those travelers looking to practice their Québécois French or visit the majestic Niagara Falls, this month is a great time to save. The strengthening Canadian dollar is affecting tourism flow into many popular Canadian cities, like <span class="xn-location">Quebec</span> City and Niagara Falls, resulting in hotels lowering prices to attract travelers.</p>
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<p>Hotwire is able to find great deals because it works with hotels, airlines and car rental companies to fill unsold inventory, which means that customers will find deals that they won't see anywhere else, especially in cities like those on the Hotel Rate Report where prices are unseasonably low.</p>
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<p>When compared to the same time last year, the top five hotel price reductions for <span class="xn-chron">February 2010</span> include:</p>
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                                                       Example of a Current
    Rank    Hotel Market       Price Drop                  Hotwire Deal,
                                                            CAD$/Night
    1      Calgary, AL          12%                  3-star            $94
    2      Niagara Falls, ON     9%                  4-star            $97
    3      Quebec City, QB       5%                  3-star            $78
    4      Edmonton, AL          5%                  3-star           $100
    5      London, ON            3%                  3-star            $83


    
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<p>"Weaker demand and the fluctuating Canadian dollar continue to affect pricing throughout <span class="xn-location">Canada</span>," said Clem Bason, President of the Hotwire Group. "Year-over-year prices continue to fall outside of the Winter Olympics vicinity, with many popular cities offering great deals in order to secure Canadian and Non-Canadian travel business."</p>
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    About the Hotwire Hotel Rate Report

    
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<p>The Hotwire Hotel Rate Report will run results during the first week of each month. Results are calculated by looking at Hotwire stay dates for select regions in the current month, and comparing prices in the current month against Hotwire prices in the same month in the prior year. Prices are compared within the same star rating categories for consistency, and the percent change in price for each region is generated as an overall average of the changes in those categories. The prices in the chart above are examples for a particular star rating category within that market, and actual prices may be higher or lower than the example that is provided.</p>
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    About Hotwire

    
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<p>Hotwire.com is a leading discount travel site with low rates on airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. Launched in 2000, Hotwire negotiates deep discounts from its travel suppliers to help travelers book unsold airline seats, hotel rooms and rental cars. J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Independent Travel Web Site Satisfaction Study(SM) recognized Hotwire for ranking "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Independent Travel Web Sites, Three Years in a Row." Hotwire is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. CST: 2053390-40. NST: 20003-0209. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.hotwire.com/">http://www.hotwire.com/</a>.</p>
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<p>Hotwire, Hotwire.com and the Hotwire logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotwire, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2010 Hotwire, Inc. All rights reserved. CST# 2053390-40.</p>
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    Contact:
    Chris Fucanan
    Atomic PR
    [phone]
    [email protected]





    

For further information: Chris Fucanan of Atomic PR, [phone], [email protected], for Hotwire.com Web Site: http://www.hotwire.com