Most U.S. Hotels Performing Well in Early September

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According to data from Smith Travel Research (STR), the U.S. hotel industry reported increases in all three key performance metrics during the first week of September. 

In year-over-year comparisons, occupancy increased 7.5 percent to 57.4 percent, average daily rate was up 2.1 percent to US$94.37, and revenue per available room rose 9.7 percent to US$54.16.

This was the 13th consecutive week the U.S. reported overall ADR increases. Before this trend emerged, ADR in decreased 74 of the past 76 weeks.

"Thirteen consecutive weeks of ADR improvement show that the industry now trusts the positive demand trends that emerged earlier in the year," said Chad Church, director of special services at STR. " Hoteliers have raised their rates, and the consumer continues to travel.

"We're currently in the midst of the easiest year-over-year comparison weeks for ADR in 2010," Church continued. "After experiencing double-digit ADR declines throughout September 2009, we expect to continue to see positive gains in the near term."

Among the Top 25 Markets, every one reported an occupancy increase. Detroit, Michigan, achieved the highest occupancy increase, rising 25.6 percent to 58.9 percent, followed by New Orleans, Louisiana, with a 20.8-percent increase to 48.0 percent. San Diego, California, ended the week flat at 66.0 percent.

New York, New York, rose 13.0 percent in ADR to US$217.32, reporting the largest increase in that metric, followed by Orlando, Florida (+9.9 percent to US$74.89), and Oahu Island, Hawaii (+8.2 percent to US$153.69). Houston, Texas (-3.5 percent to US$82.41), and Nashville, Tennessee (-3.1 percent to US$81.18), reported the largest ADR decreases for the week.

All of the top markets reported RevPAR decreases for the week. Four markets experienced RevPAR increases of more than 20 percent: New Orleans (+27.7 percent to US$42.40); Detroit (+26.3 percent to US$43.19); Orlando (+25.3 percent to US$34.08); and Oahu Island (+22.5 percent to US$128.49).

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