According to figures released in September 2012 by travel website hotels.com, Irish hotel room prices are the third cheapest in a Europe-wide comparison. However, there are extensive regional variations within the Irish figures. For example, hotel rooms in Kilkenny are most expensive in Ireland with rates at an average of €96 a night, whereas Limerick presents itself as a true budget destination, offering hotel rooms at an average of €64 per night.
Although Ireland sits pretty as one of the top European travel destinations, accommodation prices in Dublin are up 3% compared to last year, now ranging at an average of €77 per night for a hotel room in the capital. Hotels.com’s director of market management, Seamus McCormaic, told RTÉ's “Morning Ireland” that the moderate prices show that Ireland has gone through a rough patch but is coming out of it, with great value now to be had. According to McCormaic, concerts and events are helping drive the demand, which also results in an increasing level of corporate travel. An equally strong second half year is expected.
