U.S. Hotel Market Posted Further Performance Declines in Early December

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(HENDERSONVILLE, TN) -- According to newly released data from Smith Travel Research (STR), the U.S. hotel industry posted declines in all three key performance measurements during the week of November 29 to December 5, 2009.

In year-over-year measurements, the industry's occupancy fell 4.9 percent to end the week at 47.6 percent. Average daily rate dropped 7.3 percent to finish the week at US$96.25. Revenue per available room for the week decreased 11.9 percent to finish at US$45.86.

Among the Chain Scale segments, the Luxury segment was the only one to report an increase in any of the three metrics. The segment's occupancy rose 1.5 percent to 61.4 percent. The Upper Upscale segment ended the week virtually flat with a 0.1-percent decrease in occupancy to 60.5 percent.

Among the Top 25 Markets, Oahu Island, Hawaii, led the occupancy increases, rising 15.3 percent to 74.7 percent, followed by New Orleans, Louisiana (+13.1 percent to 67.6 percent), and Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida (+11.8 percent to 52.2 percent). Three markets experienced double-digit occupancy decreases: Houston, Texas (-23.2 percent to 51.1 percent); Orlando, Florida (-10.1 percent to 51.1 percent); and San Francisco/San Mateo, California (-10.0 percent to 57.3 percent).

New Orleans reported the only ADR increase, up 25.9 percent to US$150.39. San Francisco/San Mateo posted the largest ADR decrease, falling 25.9 percent to US$122.94, followed by Phoenix, Arizona (-16.1 percent to US$95.81), and Miami-Hialeah, Florida (-15.6 percent to US$159.96).

New Orleans also had the largest RevPAR increase, jumping 42.4 percent to US$101.72. Two other markets reported RevPAR increases: Oahu Island (+7.1 percent to US$105.87) and Tampa-St. Petersburg (+1.8 percent to US$44.70). Houston posted the largest RevPAR decrease, falling 34.1 percent to US$45.36, followed by San Francisco/San Mateo with a 33.3-percent decrease to US$70.49.

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