by Calculated Risk on 12/10/2009 11:16:00 AM

From HotelNewsNow.com: Luxury leads occupancy increases for second week in STR weekly numbers

Overall, in year-over-year measurements, the industry’s occupancy fell 4.9 percent to end the week at 47.6 percent, average daily rate dropped 7.3 percent to US$96.25, and revenue per available room decreased 11.9 percent to US$45.86.

Click on graph for larger image in new window.

This graph shows the occupancy rate by week for each of the last four years (2006 through 2009 labeled by start of month).

Notes: the scale doesn't start at zero to better show the change. Thanksgiving was later in 2008 and 2009, so the dip doesn't line up with the previous years.

Data Source: Smith Travel Research, Courtesy of HotelNewsNow.com

This is a two year slump for the hotel industry. Although occupancy is off 4.9% compared to 2008, occupancy is off about 17% compared to the same week in 2006.

Leisure travel (weekend occupancy) is off only about 2% compared to the same week in 2008, but business travel (weekday occupancy) is off more suggesting no pickup in business travel - see the graph in the HotelNewsNow report.