Survey finds jasper hotels dearest in Canada

Lucky us (Calgarians)! We have a beautiful destination spot right in our backyard, all year ’round!

A new survey of hotel rates casts Alberta as a pricey summer destination.
Jasper is Canada’s most expensive summer destination based on hotel cost for the summer’s main travel period of July 1 to Aug. 31, according to a survey by online accommodation booking site cheaphotels.org.
Besides having a destination in top spot, Alberta also shares with British Columbia the dubious distinction of having five communities in the 20 most expensive destinations in the survey.
The average rate for Jasper’s cheapest available double room in July and August was $189.
The second costliest place to spend the night was Tofino, B.C., at $177. Rounding out the top three was Niagara on the Lake at $174. The other Alberta destinations were Fort McMurray at No. 6, where the average rate for the most affordable double room was $145. Banffwas No. 10, at $130, followed by Calgary in 11th spot at $129. Canmore was No. 14 at $127.
Only destinations with a minimum of 10 hotels were considered and only hotels rated two stars and above were included in the survey. It’s the first time cheaphotels.com has surveyed Canada, while it has done two surveys for the United States.
Daniel Berger, spokesman for cheaphotels.com, said it is difficult to explain why Alberta destinations figured prominently on the list.
“It’s probably just tourists really just appreciate these destinations in Alberta,” Berger said. “Sometimes there are just not enough hotels in these places. It’s just lack of hotels on offer so that’s very often the reason why rates are that expensive.”
Mary Darling, interim CEO of Tourism Jasper, said she does not believe the survey will deter visitors although she has heard concerns raised by some travellers about accommodation costs.
Canada’s priciest summer destinations 1. Jasper $189 2. Tofino $177 3. Niagara on the Lake, Ont. $174 4. Wasaga Beach, Ont. $167 5. St. John’s $166 6. Fort McMurray $145 7. Parksville, B.C. $137 8. Regina $134 9. Kelowna $131 10. Banff $130 Source: cheaphotels.org.
Prices reflect the average rate for each location’s cheapest available double room.
“We have heard sometimes the hotel rates look a little expensive, but we also are open year-round and there is opportunity to come and see us at different times of the year too,” Darling said.
Bruce Okabe, CEO of Travel Alberta, the provincial tourism marketing agency, was not worried about the cheaphotels.org survey.
“Until today, I’ve actually never heard of them,” said Okabe, who questioned why a pricey destination such as Whistler, B.C. did not make the list.
“Does it give Alberta a black eye? I don’t think so.
“At the end of the day, our national parks and resort areas are in high demand, especially during the summer travel season.
“Value is relative. These are some of the most beautiful places on earth that we’re talking about in terms of Jasper and Banffand Calgary and Canmore, so I think this is a supply and demand question.”