U.S. Hotel Market Continues Downward Performance Measurements, Says STR

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(NASHVILLE, TN) -- According to data released today by Smith Travel Research (STR), the U.S. hotel industry posted declines in all three key performance measurements during the week 6-12 December 2009.

In year-over-year measurements, the industry's occupancy fell 2.9 percent to end the week at 48.1 percent. Average daily rate dropped 5.9 percent to finish the week at US$96.04. Revenue per available room for the week decreased 8.6 percent to finish at US$46.22.

Among the Chain Scale segments, the Upper Upscale segment and the Luxury segment were the only segments to report increases in any of the three metrics.  The Upper Upscale segment's occupancy rose 3.6 percent to 62.6 percent, followed by the Luxury segment with a 0.7 percent increase to 61.1 percent.

Among the Top 25 Markets, New Orleans, Louisiana, experienced the largest increases in all three key measurements. The market's occupancy rose 22.0 percent to 64.1 percent, ADR was up 24.1 percent to US$130.58, and RevPAR jumped 51.5 percent to US$83.68.

New York, New York, was the only market, besides New Orleans, to report a double-digit occupancy increase, up 10.5 percent to 88.1 percent. Houston, Texas, experienced the largest occupancy decrease, falling 23.7 percent to 54.1 percent.

San Francisco/San Mateo, California, posted the largest ADR decrease, dropping 21.7 percent to US$124.45 followed by Phoenix, Arizona (-14.6 percent to US$97.08), Houston (-14.2 percent to US$89.95), and Seattle, Washington (-14.1 percent to US$102.86).

Other than New Orleans, two markets reported RevPAR increases: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-New Jersey (+4.3 percent to US$68.79) and Atlanta, Georgia (+1.7 percent to US$43.04). Houston (-34.5 percent to US$48.70) reported the largest RevPAR decrease, followed by San Francisco/San Mateo with a 29.4-percent decrease to US$77.39.

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