U.S. Hotel Market Performing Well in Early December

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According to STR, the U.S. hotel industry experienced positive results in the three key performance metrics during the week of December 8, 2012.
 
In year-over-year comparisons, occupancy was up 3.6 percent to 55.3 percent, average daily rate rose 5.4 percent to US$107.64 and revenue per available room increased 9.2 percent to US$59.57.

Among the Top 25 Markets, Atlanta, Georgia, which hosted the American Society of Hematology annual meeting 8-11 December, saw the largest increase in occupancy at 15.3 percent to 60.4 percent. Three other markets experienced double-digit occupancy increases: Miami-Hialeah, Florida (+14.5 percent to 86.6 percent); Seattle, Washington (+12.3 percent to 67.6 percent); and Orlando, Florida (+10.0 percent to 63.3 percent). San Diego, California (-7.6 percent to 59.6 percent), and Phoenix, Arizona (-5.1 percent to 55.0 percent), reported the largest occupancy decreases for the week.

Miami-Hialeah jumped 44.0 percent in ADR to US$211.34, posting the largest increase in that metric. The market hosted the Art Basel art festival 6-9 December. Last year the event was held the previous week, on 1-4 December 2011. Atlanta followed with a 24.1-percent increase in ADR to US$102.52. San Diego posted the only double-digit ADR decrease, dropping 14.0 percent to US$115.67.

Miami-Hialeah (+64.9 percent to US$183.07) and Atlanta (+43.0 percent to US$61.88) achieved the largest RevPAR increases for the week. Two markets experienced double-digit RevPAR decreases: San Diego (-20.5 percent to US$68.93) and New Orleans, Louisiana (-10.9 percent to US$83.68).