London hotel occupancy rates dampened 3.2% in August owing to riots in the capital.
There was a 80.9% average daily hotel room occupancy in London last month, compared with 83.6% in August 2010, according to figures released by PKF Hotel Consultancy Services.
It was the first decline in vacancy rates since February among the 90 hotels analysed.
During the same period, however, a 9.5% hike in room rates in the capital saw room yields climb 5.9%, from £96.02 to £101.66.
Robert Barnard, partner at accountancy firm PKF, said: “The riots appear to have had a negative impact on London hotels, as visitors decided to stay away or shorten their breaks in the capital. Skilful revenue management enabled hoteliers to avoid a drop in yields during their peak season.”
Of 460 UK regional hotels PKF examined there was an average 2.4% increase in occupancy to 75.7% and 2.5% rise in room rates to £51.82.
joanna.bourke@estatesgazette.com
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