U.S. Hotel Market Experiences Performance Dips During Christmas Week

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According to STR, the U.S. hotel industry reported decreases in all three key performance metrics during the week of Christmas (December 23 through 29, 2012).

In year-over-year comparisons, occupancy was down 7.2 percent to 45.4 percent, average daily rate fell 1.6 percent to US$106.57 and revenue per available room decreased 8.7 percent to US$48.34.

"A shift in the day Christmas and New Year's Eve fell on this year eroded last week's performance," said Brad Garner, STR's COO. "We expect the industry to return to performance normalcy in the coming weeks. And while the year certainly will finish strong, we also look forward to tracking what the new normal might be with travel patterns post fiscal cliff."

Among the Top 25 Markets, Seattle, Washington, reported the largest occupancy increase, rising 5.9 percent to 45.1 percent. Two markets experienced occupancy decreases of more than 20 percent: New Orleans, Louisiana (-21.6 percent to 48.5 percent), and Nashville, Tennessee (-20.3 percent to 44.2 percent).

Miami-Hialeah, Florida (+2.9 percent to US$244.30), and Anaheim-Santa Ana, California (+2.7 percent to US$123.73), achieved the largest ADR increases for the week. Nashville fell 11.0 percent in ADR to US$88.60, reporting the only double-digit ADR decrease.

Seattle posted the largest RevPAR increase, rising 5.3 percent to US$42.83. Two markets experienced RevPAR decreases of more than 25 percent: Nashville (-29.0 percent to US$39.16) and New Orleans (-25.5 percent to US$56.09).