Portugal is one of the five cheapest countries in Europe for hotels, with average prices having fallen by 15% in the first half of this year to 82 euros, the Hotel Price Index (HPI) of Hotels.com reveals today.

In Europe, Portuguese hotels are only beaten for price by Hungary, the Czech Republic (both 71 euros), Poland (73 euros) and Ireland (80 euros).

According to HPI Hotels.com, which is based on the analysis of the prices paid by clients in 78,000 hotels worldwide, prices in Portugal have followed the trend seen worldwide, where prices have fallen by 17%, and Europe, with falls of 16%.

Hotels.com says that “this is by far the most significant change in prices in the hotel industry since 2003”.

According to the analysis, Lisbon also saw a sharp decline in the real prices paid by consumers, with prices falling 15% to 86 euros, as compared with the average of 102 euros in the first half of 2008.

Lisbon is thus the 16th cheapest city in the world and the sixth in Europe, with prices of about 86 euros per room.

In Europe, the most expensive country was Switzerland, with an average price of 139 euros per room, and the most expensive city was Monte Carlo, with an average price of 178 euros per room.

Worldwide, the most expensive city was Abu Dhabi, with average prices of 190 euros per room.

source: observatoriodoalgarve.com

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