Tourist Accommodation – Where to Find the Best Rates?

The identification of key determinants for hotel lodging in a given destination is often based on supply-based programs, while very little research is done on other key travel features. However, this paper identifies a comparative need-driven analysis of tourist accommodation cost by concentrating on data collected from hotel room reservations. Our approach utilizes a unique method to determine the cost of a hotel room, identifying four primary aspects: occupancy costs, room rental income, vacancy rate discounts and other in-room charges. We apply this method to identify eleven specific types of lodging, including four first-class category hotels, five medium-class hotels, four budget hotels, five premium hotels, six luxury hotels and one special category hotel. Overall, our analysis reveals strong relationships between the price of a room and the characteristics of a hotel, particularly room reservation frequency, room prices, room availability and overall quality.

The second major area where local tourist accommodation prices differ according to terrain are in low-density territories. Typically, the lowest prices are charged in the most remote areas, meaning there is a limited selection in terms of both amenities and price. In many instances, accommodation choices are restricted to dirt cheap or low-grade facilities. For example, even within the same campground or lodge, differences in floor plans could mean that one guest is offered a private swimming pool, while another is not. Similarly, low-density camping sites can offer inferior amenities, such as mosquito-proof tents with barebones amenities. Again, these price differences are typically insignificant compared to the relatively small sums of money tourist spend on local attractions and activities during their trip.

One-third area in which local tourist accommodation prices tend to differ according to terrain is in socio-economic development. Despite the seemingly universal nature of local amenities, the quality of life in some low-density locales can actually be poor. Some low-density campsites may feature shoddy infrastructure, unreliable utilities, and unsanitary conditions. While some low-density holiday parks have high standards for lodging and complementary activities, many low-density destinations lack the social, recreational, and economic opportunities available to visitors.

Finally, it should be noted that accommodation prices vary according to location. For example, an oceanfront cottage will likely cost far more than a similarly located, seaside hotel. Of course, the precise location in which a tourist accommodation sits also has a large impact on its overall price. For example, the more centrally located a tourist accommodation is, the higher its average nightly accommodation costs are likely to be.

In conclusion, tourist accommodation prices do not solely depend on your destination. They also vary according to the surrounding area in which you are staying. In many cases, the cheapest places to stay in the most remote areas are also some of the most beautiful. This is why tourists are advised to do their research before committing to any trip, particularly if they are traveling for the first time. With so much information available online, people can now easily find low-cost accommodation in any location in the world, regardless of what time of year they are visiting.