Experts Predict U.S. Cities Offer 'Deal of the Decade' This Summer

Strong Dollar, More Hotel Rooms, Increased Vacation Rentals and a Seasonal Slowdown in Business Travel Impact Rates

News provided by

May 13, 2015, 12:04 ET

NEW YORK, May 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Deal Experts at Travelzoo (NASDAQ: TZOO), a global Internet media company, predict that travelers can expect the "deal of the decade" -- up to 75% off nightly hotel rates -- in many major U.S. cities this summer. Four factors are driving these lower rates, including the strong dollar, increased hotel inventory, a surplus of vacation rental units and a summer slowdown in business travel.

Domestic Impact of the Strong Dollar: Big cities like New York City and Miami are seeing fewer international travelers from countries such as France and Brazil, as the strong dollar makes a U.S. visit more expensive. Lower demand from international travelers leads to better deals from hotels, restaurants and entertainment companies as they try and capture domestic demand to fill the gap. Travelers can stay in a 4-star Times Square hotel for $159 per night this summer, a savings of 50% on regular rates.

Increased Hotel Inventory: In 2014, Las Vegas welcomed a new 1,600-room hotel, the SLS, tipping the total number of Las Vegas hotel rooms over 150,000, and an additional 8,752 hotel rooms were added to New York City's inventory. An increase in supply leads to more deals. Travelers can stay in a 4-star hotel in Las Vegas for as little as $59 per night, a savings of 75% on regular rates.

Surplus in Vacation Rental Units: Companies like Airbnb and HomeAway are disrupting the playing field by adding accommodation options for travelers, shifting demand away from hotels and pushing rates down.

A Seasonal Slowdown in Business Travel: Business travel slows down in the summer, which means travel companies need to fill the void with leisure travelers. Hotels in cities such as Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Orlando and New York that see heavy convention and business travel in the fall, winter and spring, drop rates by up to 60% during summer months to fill rooms.

"Americans are in luck if they are planning to stay stateside this summer," said Gabe Saglie, senior editor for Travelzoo. "With gas prices still low and hotels offering excellent deals, this could be one of the best summers in a decade to explore the nation's big cities."

To plan your summer city vacation, visit www.travelzoo.com/hotels.

About Travelzoo
Travelzoo Inc. is a global Internet media company. With more than 27 million members in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific and 25 offices worldwide, Travelzoo® publishes deals from more than 2,000 travel, entertainment and local companies. Travelzoo Deal Experts review offers to find the best deals and confirm their true value. In Asia Pacific, Travelzoo is independently owned and operated by Travelzoo (Asia) Ltd. and Travelzoo Japan K.K. under a license agreement with Travelzoo Inc.

Certain statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, prospects and intentions, markets in which we participate and other statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts. When used in this press release, the words "expect", "predict", "project", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "seek" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including changes in our plans, objectives, expectations, prospects and intentions and other factors discussed in our filings with the SEC. We cannot guarantee any future levels of activity, performance or achievements. Travelzoo undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release. Travelzoo and Top 20 are registered trademarks of Travelzoo. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Media Contact:
Christie McConnell
Travelzoo, North America
(212) 484-4912
[email protected]

SOURCE Travelzoo