Most people aren’t shocked about hotel prices in cities like Toronto and Vancouver, but to the surprise of those visiting Halifax, a comfortable stay is just as costly. “It’s more than I’ve really ever paid before, but there was no other choice,” says Al Hackenberg, who was visiting Halifax from Toronto. According to Maritime Travel, hotel prices have gone up significantly in the city. “We’ve seen increases anywhere from 20 to 40 per cent over the last couple of years for sure,” says Myranda Miller, Maritime Travel branch manager. “A lot of that would have to do with the inbound travel from Europe. Of course, we have a lot of new direct destinations going from Halifax to there. So, we’re going there, but they’re also coming here.” Julia Kent, the CAA Atlantic spokesperson, says Halifax is the number one place for tourism in Atlantic Canada. “Halifax is a cosmopolitan, sophisticated, urban destination on the Atlantic coast,” she says. “If you add an event or concert or anything like that, large groups of people that are coming to the city at one time, it activates dynamic pricing, which we often see at Halifax hotels and can make them really expensive on any given night. ” Miller advises people consider hotels outside the city while Kent says people should try to book their stay earlier than later. “Gone are the days of the last-minute deal. Don’t wait. Book as soon as possible and look into all the policies, related to your booking book through a reputable site, including cancellation policies, because you never know when plans could change,” says Kent. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
