U.S. Hotel Market Post Declines in 3 Key Metrics Last Week

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(News Source: Smith Travel Research)

(HENDERSONVILLE, TN) -- The U.S. hotel industry posted declines in all three key performance measurements during the week of October 4-10, 2009, according to data from STR.

In year-over-year measurements, the industry's occupancy fell 5.4 percent to end the week at 59.8 percent. Average daily rate dropped 7.0 percent to finish the week at US$99.21. Revenue per available room for the week decreased 12.0 percent to finish at US$59.28.

Among the Top 25 Markets, New Orleans, Louisiana, was the only market to report increases in all three measurements: Occupancy rose 6.5 percent to 63.8 percent; ADR increased 6.3 percent to US$119.09; and RevPAR jumped 13.2 percent to US$76.04.

Houston, Texas, experienced the largest decreases in all three metrics: Occupancy dropped 35.0 percent to 56.5 percent; ADR fell 16.9 percent to US$92.66; and RevPAR decreased 46.0 percent to US$52.39.

St. Louis, Missouri-Illinois, posted the largest occupancy increase, up 12.7 percent to 63.7 percent, followed by Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota-Wisconsin, with a 12.0-percent increase to 69.0. Dallas, Texas, reported an 18.5-percent decrease to 53.0 percent, followed by Orlando, Florida (-14.3 percent to 54.7 percent).

Excluding New Orleans, none of the Top 25 Markets posted ADR increases. Two markets besides Houston reported ADR decreases of more than 15 percent: New York, New York (-15.4 percent to US$253.61), and Orlando (-15.2 percent to US$93.67).

Along with New Orleans, three markets reported RevPAR increases: St. Louis (+10.9 percent to US$54.02); Minneapolis (+6.8 percent to US$66.86) and San Francisco/San Mateo, California (+4.8 percent to US$127.69. In addition to Houston, four more markets posted RevPAR declines of 20 percent or more: Dallas (-29.9 percent to US$47.00); Orlando (-27.3 percent to US$51.21); Seattle, Washington (-20.4 percent to US$67.76); and Nashville, Tennessee (-20.0 percent to US$50.69).

Among the Chain-Scale segments, two segments experienced occupancy increases: the Luxury segment (+3.8 percent to 69.1 percent) and the Upper Upscale segment (+1.3 percent to 71.8 percent).

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