Asian visitors boost UK luxury hotels reveals Expedia

Luxury hotels in the UK are being buoyed by increased visitor numbers from the Asia, latest Expedia group data reveals.

Luxury hotels in the UK are being buoyed by increased visitor numbers from the Asia, latest Expedia group data reveals.

Travellers from Hong Kong showed the largest year-on-year increase for luxury hotel stays in the first quarter of the year, up more than 70%, while demand for four and five star hotels from South Koreans rose by more than 50%.

Next comes Singapore, with an increase of more than 40%, while luxury-seeking travellers from China and Japan rose by the same at 20%.

The UK regions are seeing significant year-on-year rises surpassing the 20% rise achieved in London.

Highlights include a 50%-plus increase in Liverpool, almost 40% more in Edinburgh and a more than 30% increase in Birmingham.

Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds and the East and West Midlands, all recorded year-on-year increases of between 20%-25%.

The data also shows that the average daily rate for luxury hotel rooms in Britain is around £120, compared to just under £60 for a budget stay.

London’s luxury hotels achieved an ADR of around £140 per room, per night in the first quarter of the year.

Luxury ‘bargains’ could be had in Blackpool, Sheffield, Dorset and the north-west of England; as well as Aberdeen, the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway with room rates of under £80 per night for high-end hotel stays.

The booking window for four and five star hotels is significantly longer at between 20 and 25 days, while for budget stays it is around nine, the study showed.

Expedia Group UK & Ireland market management director Orla Lee said: “This data highlights how we are driving demand to our partners for high end rooms, particularly from the Far East.

“International business is especially important for high-end hotels as these travellers are more inclined to upgrade to a higher room category, stay longer and spend more in the hotel on F&B and spa, for example.

“We know many travellers from Asia have a tendency towards luxury travel and now have a higher disposable income, making them a desirable occupant, so helping hoteliers secure more of this valuable demand is a key part of our partnership.”