by Calculated Risk on 12/03/2009 11:57:00 AM

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

Overall, in year-over-year measurements, the industry’s occupancy fell 1.7 percent to end the week at 40.7 percent. Average daily rate dropped 6.7 percent to finish the week at US$84.81. Revenue per available room for the week decreased 8.4 percent to finish at US$34.54.

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 1.7% compared to 2008, occupancy is off about 14% compared to Thansgiving week in 2006 and 2007.

The good news is the occupancy rate is at about the same level as 2008 (off just 1.7 percent). The bad news is this is a very low occupancy rate - 2009 will be the lowest since the Great Depression - and this is still pushing down room rates.