STR Reports US Hotel Occupancy Rises in April 2011

ADR increases increases 2.8% to US$100.55

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. May 23, 2011

May 20, 2011 - The U.S. hotel industry posted increases in all three key performance measurements during April 2011, according to data from STR.

In year-over-year measurements, the industry's occupancy was up 4.9 percent to 61.2 percent, average daily rate ended the month with a 2.8-percent increase to US$100.55, and revenue per available room rose 7.9 percent to US$61.51.

“The U.S. hotel industry continues to show signs of recovery as the April performance indicates,” said Amanda Hite, STR's president. “Though Easter, a traditionally slow travel period, did have some affect on performance, the industry ended the month with positive movement. Of particular note is the 2.8-percent increase in ADR. As rates continue to rise, the gap between current levels and the peak levels of 2008 lessens, which in turn makes hoteliers more comfortable about the operating environment. With the summer travel season right around the corner, we expect to see even stronger performance gains across the board.”

Among the Top 25 Markets, Houston, Texas, experienced the largest occupancy increase, rising 14.8 percent to 64.1 percent. Four other markets posted occupancy increases of 10 percent or more: Nashville, Tennessee (+11.2 percent to 65.4 percent); Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Virginia (+10.8 percent to 59.2 percent); Orlando, Florida (+10.8 percent to 76.4 percent); and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota-Wisconsin (+10.0 percent to 64.1 percent). Washington, D.C., fell 6.0 percent in occupancy to 73.7 percent, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.

Two markets reported double-digit ADR increases: Miami-Hialeah, Florida (+13.1 percent to US$170.73), and Oahu Island, Hawaii (+12.2 percent to US$162.43). Washington, D.C., fell 2.9 percent in ADR to US$151.28, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.

Five markets achieved RevPAR increases of more than 15 percent: Houston (+26.0 percent to US$62.73); Miami-Hialeah (+23.8 percent to US$136.25); Oahu Island (+19.2 percent to US$120.20); Orlando (+16.8 percent to US$78.08); and Nashville (+16.2 percent to US$62.25). Washington, D.C., reported the only RevPAR decrease, falling 8.8 percent to US$111.55.