Hotel rates paid by corporate travelers in 2008 generally rose across the globe

, "albeit at a slower pace than in 2007," according to Hogg Robinson Group. Based on "industry intelligence" and actual booking by its U.K. clients, HRG found that rates flattened or fell in the second half of 2008 "as the effects of the current climate took hold, but pockets of growth remain in cities where demand continues to outstrip supply." Moscow for the fourth consecutive year was the most expensive market, with average rates up 22 percent over 2007, followed by New York and Paris. Ranked as third most expensive in 2007, Dubai dropped to eighth in 2008, with rates on averaging falling 2 percent. HRG also noted that the average length of stay shortened from 1.9 nights to 1.5 nights, "reflecting a trend for shorter business trips as companies adopt more stringent travel policies."