TRAVELLERS ushering in the New Year in Taipei can expect to shell out 217 per cent more than usual for a hotel room or an estimated S$564 (US$446), making the city one of the more expensive destinations to celebrate 2014 in Asia-Pacific.
Based on German hotel search and price comparison site Trivago’s Hotel Price Index, Taipei has recorded the largest difference between December 31 and regular room prices of the 10 Asia-Pacific destinations ranked.
Following Taipei are Sydney, which has seen a 162 per cent increase over its monthly average; Pattaya, 104 per cent; Hong Kong, 82 per cent, Bali (Kuta), 80 per cent; Tokyo, 72 per cent; Singapore, 39 per cent and Shanghai, 13 per cent.
Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur were the only cities out of 10 to have rates decrease over the New Year period, with Bangkok prices dropping seven per cent and Kuala Lumpur, 21 per cent.
Comparisons were based on average price per night in Singapore dollars for a standard double room.
However, Taipei cedes its top position to Sydney in terms of absolute room rates for New Year’s Eve. While a room in Taipei costs an average of S$564, travellers to Sydney can expect an average of S$676.
Right behind second-place Taipei is Hong Kong, with a price tag of S$507 a night. Meanwhile, pricey Singapore is charging S$338 a night.
“Hotel price increases over this New Year’s Eve are not too marked in Singapore and its neighbouring cities – an ideal situation for Singaporeans looking for a short getaway or a staycation to ring in 2014,” said Haryati Afendy, spokesperson for Trivago in South-east Asia.
