by Calculated Risk on 8/11/2011 12:08:00 PM

Note: This is one of the industry specific measures that I follow. I only post this once a month or so. Looking back at this data during the recession, hotel occupancy first declined in Dec 2007, and then declined sharply in the fall of 2008. Right now I don't see any special weakness in the occupancy rate that would suggest another recession.

From HotelNewsNow.com: STR: Midscale lags in weekly hotel results

Overall, the U.S. hotel industry’s occupancy rose 1.4% to 71.2%, ADR increased 3.3% to US$102.52, and RevPAR finished the week up 4.8% to US$72.99.

Note: ADR: Average Daily Rate, RevPAR: Revenue per Available Room.

The following graph shows the seasonal pattern for the hotel occupancy rate using a four week average for the occupancy rate.

Click on graph for larger image in graph gallery.

The summer leisure travel season has peaked, and the 4-week average of the occupancy rate will now start to decrease. Right now the occupancy rate is tracking just above 2008 - and well above 2009 - but still below the "normal" level.

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