Almost three million UK adults (1) will stay in a hotel during the festive period this year - three times as many as Christmas 2004, according to research released today by Travelodge*.
This trend for staying in a hotel is reflected by Travelodge's reservation data, which recorded an 84% year on year increase in bookings between 17 December 2005 and 8 January 2006 (2). Other year on year figures include:
· Twice as many Brits will stay in a Travelodge on Christmas Eve
· Three times as many people will stay in a Travelodge on Christmas Day
· New Years Eve has more than treble the number rooms booked
· Tuesday 27 December is the busiest day of the Christmas period for Travelodge
The research states a quarter of a million Brits will use their hotel stay as a means to get some peace and quiet during Christmas (3). Other reasons for staying overnight in a hotel are:
· Visiting friends (18%)
· A night out on the town (18%)
· Visiting relatives (21%)
· Taking a short leisure break (35%)
Travelodge Chief Operating Officer, Guy Parsons, said, "We've seen a huge rise in bookings this Christmas and it shows how popular low-cost hotel rooms are - our customers stay with us instead of taking a cab home."
New 2006 Travelodge Prices
Travelodge this week launched a new pricing structure designed to give customers more access to great value rooms. Travelodge is offering thousands of rooms for £10 each throughout 2006; 500,000 £26 rooms and price cuts on thousands of standard rates across the whole estate, including prime city centre locations. The hotel group has also extended its advance room booking timeframe, from 6 months to 12 months, making it much easier for customers to find and book a room.
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For more information, please contact:
Jo Begbie
Travelodge
0121 521 6624
Note to editors
From 1 December, book online at travelodge.co.uk to reserve a room starting from £10 or £26. Be sure to book early to get the best possible deal. The next best rate is available online or via the Travelodge Reservation Centre on 08700 850 950.
* Travelodge research conducted by 72 point among 2000 UK adults in November 2005.
(1). 6% of UK adult population = 2,906,280 (2004 figures from the Office for National Statistics noted there were 48,438,000 UK adults)
(2). Travelodge data collected in 18 November 2005
(3). 9% of those that that said they will stay in hotel accommodation = 261,565
About Travelodge
· As the first budget hotel brand to launch in the UK in 1985, Travelodge currently has approximately 277 sites across the UK with the majority in city centres, near attractions and airports
· Travelodge is to increase its portfolio of budget hotels to 400 by adding 2,500 new rooms each year for the next 6 years
· Over six million people stay with Travelodge every year
· The latest BDRC British Hotel Guest Survey (February 2005) named Travelodge as the joint number one hotel brand in the UK (with Hilton) and the number one budget brand
· Travelodge offers double, family and disabled access rooms. A family room can accommodate two adults and two children under 16. All rooms are en-suite, with luxury king size beds, colour TV and free tea and coffee making facilities
Terms & conditions
· £10 and £26 rates can only be booked online at www.travelodge.co.uk
· £10 rates must be booked and paid for 21 days in advance
· £26 rates must be booked and paid for 7 days in advance.