KUALA LUMPUR: Hotel rates in Malaysia have increased in the first half (1H) of 2011, according to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index (HPI).

Prices rose to an average of US$123 (RM371.46) per room per night in Malaysia, an increment of 6% from 1H 2010.

The HPI found hotel rates to be volatile due to political unrest and natural disasters in 1H 2011 compared to the same period last year. Currency strength and supply of rooms also impacted average room prices. The average room price rose by 3%. Prices in Asia Pacific fell 6% year-on-year, but rose 4% in North America and 2% in Europe and Latin America.

"Arab Spring" uprisings in the Middle East are believed to be the major factor in prices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai falling 16% and 15% respectively.

Prices in the US fell in popular cities, despite average rates showing a 2% increase. The average room rates in San Diego and Las Vegas fell by 19% and 5% respectively. Exceptions include San Francisco up 8% and Honolulu up 13%.

"This year, for the first time, dramatic political and natural world events, such as the Japanese earthquake and Arab Spring, have caused the most pronounced level of hotel price volatility," commented David Roche, president of Hotels.com.

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