Hotels Federation disputes website’s 5% price fall claim

The Irish Hotels Federation has questioned the accuracy of findings by hotel booking site Trivago which indicated a drop in prices in September.

The IHF said that it has no confidence in price claims made by any booking websites as the vast majority of rooms are booked through other sources.

“The Irish Hotels Federation has no confidence in the robustness of price claims made by online booking websites.

“The vast majority of hotel bed nights are sold through other sources including directly with the hotel...and through group bookings and tour operators; other third-party booking engines; and the conference and event market segments,” the IHF said in a statement.

Trivago’s Hotel Price Index indicated that the cost of a night in an Irish hotel dropped by 5% so far this month contrary to recent figures which indicated that prices were rising.

Prices, the survey found, fell in all but three locations across the country.

Limerick witnessed the greatest increase (6%) in the month, followed by Dublin and Donegal where prices rose by 1%.

Despite witnessing a significant spike in prices, Limerick hotel rooms remained much cheaper than those in the other two counties to record an increase, at an average of €88, compared to €132 and €177 respectively.

The average cost of a room in September stood at €117, the survey found.

“Despite several popular events being hosted in Ireland this month, including both GAA finals and the Dublin Fringe Festival, we have seen that average hotel prices have remained relatively stable with no huge changes in costs.

“We have also seen averages fall across the country this month. This suggests that travellers to Ireland will get good value for their money in September — including those heading to Dublin,” said a Trivago spokesperson.

This Saturday — the night before the All-Ireland football final — an average hotel room in the capital will set you back €157, while prices the night prior to the hurling replay between Tipperary and Kilkenny are below average at €128.