U.S. Hotel Performance Index Down, Says STR

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(HENDERSONVILLE, TN) -- According to data from Smith Travel Research (STR), the U.S. hotel industry posted declines in all three key performance measurements during the week of 15-21 November 2009.

In year-over-year measurements, the industry's occupancy fell 2.8 percent to end the week at 52.7 percent. Average daily rate dropped 7.6 percent to finish the week at US$95.85. Revenue per available room for the week decreased 10.1 percent to finish at US$50.55.

Among the Top 25 Markets, New Orleans, Louisiana, reported the largest increase in all three key metrics: Occupancy rose 18.8 percent to 64.8 percent; ADR increased 2.3 percent to US$116.97; and RevPAR jumped 21.5 percent to US$75.82.

San Francisco/San Mateo, California, was the only market besides New Orleans to report a double-digit occupancy increase, rising 12.2 percent to 72.6 percent. Houston, Texas, reported the largest occupancy decrease, falling 23.9 percent to 57.2 percent, followed by Nashville, Tennessee with a 13.4-percent decrease to 55.2 percent.

None of the top markets, excluding New Orleans, reported ADR increases for the week. Three markets experienced ADR decreases of more than 15 percent: Atlanta, Georgia (-16.5 percent to US$82.97); Boston, Massachusetts (-16.1 percent to US$133.93); and Phoenix, Arizona (-15.7 percent to US$101.10).

San Francisco/San Mateo posted a RevPAR increase of 8.5 percent to US$99.80, followed by Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Virginia, which increased 3.2 percent to US$35.05. Houston led the RevPAR decreases, falling 34.8 percent to US$52.13, followed by Atlanta (-23.6 percent to US$41.89) and Nashville (-20.2 percent to US$52.42).

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