Travelodge hotel group launched a winter price war on its rivals today as it slashed prices on around a quarter of a million rooms across its UK hotels.
With the nation taking 12 million mini breaks in December alone**, the hotel industry is about to embark on one of its busiest periods of the year. To help lower the cost of Christmas breaks, Travelodge has launched a £10 a night rate on 135,000 rooms and priced a further 110,000 rooms at £26 in city centres. The offers will run from December 18th through to January 7th 2006 across the UK.
Travelodge's Sales and Marketing Director, Guy Parsons said, "We have cut our prices at a time when the industry traditionally hikes rates. Consumers can now take advantage of lower priced accommodation reducing the cost of their Christmas".
Although many people will be staying away over the festive period, just a third of the nation admits to using hotel accommodation***. High prices have forced families to seek alternative options such as staying with friends and relatives.
Guy said, "The average London hotel room cost consumers £100**** last Christmas. Some hotels, holiday cottages, and B&Bs can even double their prices at this time of year, offering very poor value. We believe that our winter special offers will make holiday accommodation accessible for more people over the festive period."
According to Travelodge's data, the main reasons for an overnight hotel stay in December are Christmas shopping trips, visiting relatives and office parties.
The top five UK destinations during December are:
1. Bristol
2. London
3. Bath
4. Birmingham
5. Milton Keynes
Travelodge's £10 offer is available by booking online from midnight on November 3rd until midnight November 13th. The best prices are available on www.travelodge.co.uk.
For further information:
Jo Begbie PR Manager
07841 725 053
Greg Dawson Director of Communications
07921 945778
Note to editors
Terms and conditions apply please see www.travelodge.co.uk
*£7m figure is calculated on the average Travelodge room rate.
£10 room: saving x 135,000 rooms = £5m
£26 room: saving x 110,000 rooms = £2.3m
**2003 statistics from UKTS (United Kingdom Tourism Survey)
*** BDRC British Hotel Guest Survey 2005 states the 33% of UK stayed in a hotel in 2004
**** According to PKF, one of the UK's leading firms of accountants and business advisors, December 2004.
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
- Book online at travelodge.co.uk to reserve a room starting from £26 (£46 in Central London) meaning a family of four can stay for as little as £6.50 a head. £26 room rates are subject to availability, be sure to book early to get the best possible deal. The next best rate is available online or by calling the award winning Travelodge Reservation Centre on 08700 850 950.