U.S. Hotel Market Reports Performance Uptick in December

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According to STR, the U.S. hotel industry reported increases in all three key performance metrics for fourth quarter 2012 in year-over-year measurements.

The industry's occupancy increased 2.4 percent to 56.6 percent, average daily rate rose 4.0 percent to US$106.54 and revenue per available room was up 6.5 percent to US$60.34.

"The industry finished 2012 on a good note in the fourth quarter," said Bobby Bowers, senior VP of operations at STR. "RevPAR gained 6.5 percent-driven primarily by a 4.2 percent ADR growth. We expect this pattern will continue in 2013, as demand growth slows somewhat and ADR traction holds.

"Room supply growth is gaining momentum-up 0.7 percent in the quarter-but we don't expect new hotel room capacity will be a major drag on overall 2013 industry performance," he continued. "As the U.S. hotel industry enters its fourth year of recovery, we anticipate another good year in 2013 with full year RevPAR growth in the 5.5 percent to 6.0 percent range."

Among the Top 25 Markets, Houston, Texas, rose 6.9 percent in occupancy to 62.3 percent, reporting the largest increase in that metric, followed by New Orleans, Louisiana (+6.5 percent to 65.4 percent), and Seattle, Washington (+6.5 percent to 64.4 percent).

Oahu Island, Hawaii, increased 9.5 percent in ADR to US$189.55, reporting the largest increase in that metric.

Eight markets experienced double-digit RevPAR increases for the quarter: New Orleans (+14.0 percent to US$88.04); Los Angeles-Long Beach, California (+13.8 percent to US$91.40); Seattle (+13.2 percent to US$75.19); Atlanta, Georgia (+12.7 percent to US$49.65); Houston (+12.6 percent to US$58.65); Oahu Island (+12.2 percent to US$155.47); Anaheim-Santa Ana (+12.1 percent to US$81.61); and Denver, Colorado (+11.3 percent to US$60.37).

Washington, D.C., posted the largest decrease in all three key performance metrics. Its occupancy fell 1.8 percent to 60.8 percent, its ADR was down 0.8 percent to US$143.03 and its RevPAR decreased 2.6 percent to US$87.00.