Occupancy levels in UK hotels showed signs of recovery in November from Octobers dismal results, according to consultant PKF.
However, business is still bad in the sector, with occupancy levels in London in November down on the same month last year by 14.6% to 72.2%, and average room rates down by 14.8% to £106.52.
In October, PKF reported that London occupancy rates had dropped by 22.6% to the lowest level since 1991.
In the regions, November occupancy fell by 1.2% to 70.8% and the average room rate fell by 2.8% to £60.37, leading to a revenue per room decline of 4% to £42.71.
This compares with a fall of 4.1% in occupancy and of 6.4% in revenue per room during October.
Melvin Gold, managing director of hotel consultancy services at PKF, said that hoteliers’ efforts to protect occupancy rates since the 11 September attacks had held back the decline in business between October and November.
Gold said: “Through a combination of tactics such as newspaper advertising, the use of the internet to promote late booking offers, and added-value deals to encourage visitors, the hotel industry can take credit for the fact that average room rates have not dropped significantly between October and November.”
He added: “Although the November figures arent a cause for seasonal rejoicing, it appears that the hotel industry and visitors are coming to terms with the new paradigm of travelling.”
EGi News 19/12/01
