US Hotel Performance Dips in Early February

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(HENDERSONVILLE, TN) -- According to data from Smith Travel Research, the U.S. hotel industry reported decreases in all three key measurements during the week of 31 January-6 February 2010.

In year-over-year measurements, the industry's occupancy ended the week virtually flat with a 0.8-percent decrease to 48.4 percent. Average daily rate dropped 4.8 percent to finish the week at US$95.34. Revenue per available room for the week fell 5.6 percent to finish at US$46.14.

Among the Chain Scale segments, the Luxury segment reported increases in two of the three key metrics. The segment's occupancy rose 7.7 percent to 58.4 percent and RevPAR increased 3.4 percent to US$141.90. Two other segments posted occupancy increases: the Upper Upscale segment (+4.1 percent to 59.1 percent) and the Upscale segment (+2.3 percent to 56.7 percent).

Among the Top 25 Markets, Miami-Hialeah, Florida, host of Super bowl XLIV on 7 February 2010, was the only market to experience increases in all three key metrics. The market's occupancy rose 11.3 percent to 76.0 percent, ADR jumped 40.5 percent to US$249.66, and RevPAR increased 56.4 percent to US$189.74.

New York, New York, posted the largest occupancy increase among the Top 25 Markets, rising 15.9 percent to 65.5 percent, followed by Seattle, Washington, with a 12.7-percent increase to 55.1 percent. New Orleans, Louisiana, reported the largest occupancy decrease, falling 16.1 percent to 58.3 percent.

Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida, which hosted Super bowl XLIII on 1 February 2009, reported the largest decreases in both ADR and RevPAR. The market's ADR dropped 30.7 percent to US$97.82, and RevPAR decreased 37.0 percent to US$56.35.

Two markets, besides Tampa-St. Petersburg, experienced ADR decreases of more than 15 percent: New Orleans (-17.6 percent to US$110.45) and Houston, Texas (-17.0 percent to US$88.41).

Behind Tampa-St. Petersburg, New Orleans reported the largest RevPAR decrease, falling 30.9 percent to US$64.37, followed by Houston (-27.9 percent to US$47.80), Oahu Island, Hawaii (-17.2 percent to US$104.32), and Orlando, Florida (-15.8 percent to US$49.70).

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