London, Rome and Paris are top international destinations for US travelers in 2010

With US leisure and business travelers factoring in value and price for their travel plans at the start of 2010, London and European favorites — Rome and Paris lead hotel price comparison site HotelsCombined.com’s 2010 top ten international destinations for US travelers.

Bangkok, Sydney, Dubai and Cancun add diversity to the international top ten list for 2010; while domestically; US travelers are headed to New York City, followed by Las Vegas, Miami Beach, Orlando, New Orleans and the city of Miami.

HotelsCombined.com General Manager Michael Doubinski observed that both vacationers and business travelers are taking advantage of competitive deals in the current tourism environment before the industry rebounds: “In the first months of 2010 consumers are looking for good deals on hotels and flights that will make their dollar go further. The economy is still weak and so are hotel rates, but we are tracking consistent increases in pricing. If the economy continues this recovery, bargains will become harder to find, so for travelers on the lookout for cheap rates, the best time to book may in fact be now.”

Travelers are the beneficiaries of the 8.8 percent slump in room rates recorded by data firm Smith Travel Research, with the rates drop still presenting great deals for consumers before the northern summer months.

London is top choice for international trips out of the US

“London is the clear favorite for American travelers in 2010,” said Doubinski. The city currently offers good value with average room rates of US$166, heading off second-ranked Rome at an average rate of US$148 and third-placed Paris at US$197.

Long-haul destinations Hong Kong and Sydney take 4th and 5th spots at a competitive US$100 and higher US$171 respectively, with 6th ranked Bangkok attracting international travelers with low US$77 nightly rates. Barcelona is ranked 7th, offering average rates of US$154, with Playa del Carmen 8th and most expensive in the top ten at US$240, 9th ranked Cancun offering average rates of US$192; and 10th placed Dubai at US$227 costing US visitors second highest nightly prices.

New York City visitors not deterred by second highest US room rates

Domestically, HotelsCombined.com data demonstrates the continued appeal of New York City, the No. 1 US visitor choice, despite its US$180 average rates, currently the country’s 2nd highest.

By comparison, second favorite city Las Vegas is valued at US$110 per night. Similarly rated one of Travelzoo’s ‘Wow Deal Destinations’ for 2010, the entertainment hub offers attractive hotel deals as it counters a slump in tourism and conference visitors since 2009.

At US$203, 3rd ranked Miami Beach will cost visitors the highest average US room bill, while in contrast, in 4th place, Orlando currently offers the most attractive hotel rates in the top ten, at a US$90 average.

In 5th rank, New Orleans at an average US$137 and 6th ranked the city of Miami at US$138 is competing on price, as are San Francisco in 7th with US$109 and Chicago, also at US$109. Honolulu’s warm weather will cost visitors an average US$136 nightly; followed by the 10th most popular city of Los Angeles, offering visitors a low average rate of just US$104.

HotelsCombined.com’s top cities overlap strongly with travel search site Skyscanner’s ‘Most Searched for Destinations for 2010, from US Airports,’ showing travelers again seeking out London, New York City, Las Vegas, Paris, Los Angeles, Orlando, Rome and Miami among its rankings.

The forecast for 2010 according to a recent survey complied by Travelzoo Inc., found that 74 percent of respondents will take a vacation this year “only if they find a good deal.” Despite seeking out competitive deals, TripAdvisor’s annual survey reports that Americans expect to travel more in 2010 than in 2009, with 41 percent saying they plan to spend more on leisure travel in 2010 than in 2009.