Exmouth becomes the most expensive holiday spot in Australia.

A survey of Australia’s 50 most popular destinations has seen Exmouth recording the biggest price rises this year.

Exmouth rates jumped 12 per cent to $213 a night according to the annual hotels.com price index.

That puts it ahead of Townsville which rose 11 per cent and Kangaroo Island in South Australia which jumped 9 per cent and makes Exmouth among the top 10 most expensive destinations, behind leaders Yulara in the Northern Territory at $360 a night, Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain ($260) and Sydney ($232).

Hotels.com marketing manager David Spasovic said the popularity of natural wonders and outdoor adventure experiences were driving the price increases.

“Our data reflects this move towards more off-the-beaten-track experiences,” Mr Spasovic told the West Australian. “It’s great to see Australia follow global trends with the price index recording an average two per cent rise …signalling strong growth in the travel industry – after three years flat.”

Other big increases in Western Australia  ncluded Broome (up 5 per cent to $176 a night), Mandurah (up 4 per cent to $192) and Kalbarri (up 4 per cent to $135).

Perth on the other hand went backwards, recording a 7 per cent fall to $158 a night.

The trend in Perth reflects the city’s growing hotel market, which has led to more empty rooms and cheaper room rates.

Deloitte’s latest tourism and hotel market outlook has revealed Perth’s hotel occupancy rate fell 4.6 per cent in 2017, down to 76.5 per cent, well down on the 90s which was the trend in the 2010s.

Deloitte says there will be continued downward pressure on occupancy rates over the next two years with more planned hotels in Perth. And it says rates will continue to fall with more empty rooms.

All this is part of a trend that has seen 710 rooms added to Perth’s hotel supply in 2017, with four major hotel developments coming online.

Leon Getler 3rd April 2018.