by Calculated Risk on 4/22/2010 01:15:00 PM

From HotelNewsNow.com: STR: Upper-upscale tops weekly numbers

Overall the U.S. industry’s occupancy increased 5.5 percent to 60.4 percent, ADR was up 1.4 percent to US$98.67, and RevPAR was up 7.0 percent to US$59.62.

The following graph shows the occupancy rate for 2009 (the worst year since the Depression for hotel occupancy), 2010 and the median for 2000 through 2007.

Click on graph for larger image in new window.

Notes: the scale doesn't start at zero, and holidays don't always line up.

The graph shows the distinct seasonal pattern for the occupancy rate; higher in the summer because of leisure/vacation travel, and lower on certain holidays.

The occupancy rate in 2010 has been ahead of 2009 for 8 of the last 9 weeks, and Average Daily Rate (ADR) is also up slightly. This is a little bit of good news for hotels, although the occupancy rate is still well below the normal level.

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