STR reports U.S. Hotel Performance for January 2009

The U.S. hotel industry posted declines in the three key performance measurements during the month of January 2009, according to data from STR.

In year-over-year measurements, occupancy fell 10.7% to end the month at 45.9% (51.5% in 2008). Average daily rate dropped 5.2% to finish the month at US$100.66 (US$106.14 in 2008). Revenue per available room for the month decreased 15.3% to finish at US$46.24 (US$54.62 in 2008).

"The U.S. lodging industry results in January continued to reflect the deteriorating economic conditions throughout the country," said Mark Lamanno, STR's president. "In addition, the recent trend of accelerating declines in performance seen in the Top 25 U.S. markets highlights the difficulty hotels face when declines in both business and leisure travel occur in tandem."

Among the Top 25 Markets, Washington, D.C., was the only market to report increases in all three key performance measurements, benefitting from the inauguration held on 20 January 2009. Occupancy rose 2.5% to 52.3%, ADR increased 25.8% to US$181.75, and RevPAR increased 28.9% to US$95.12.

Other Top 25 markets with noteworthy performances include:

- Tampa-St.Petersburg, Florida was the only other market to report an increase in ADR, up 9.5% to US$126.23.

- Largest occupancy declines: Detroit, Michigan (-18.9% to 40.6%); Seattle, Washington (-17.9% to 45.7%); and Atlanta, Georgia (-16.8% to 48.4%).

- Largest ADR declines: New York, New York (-13.1% to US$199.05); Phoenix, Arizona (-12.3% to US$133.52); and Detroit (-11.9% to US$87.22).

- Largest RevPAR declines: Detroit (-28.6% to US$35.42); New York (-27.1% to US$118.44); and Phoenix (-25.2% to US$74.36).

Among the chain-scale segments, the Luxury segment reported the largest decreases in all three key performance measurements. The segment posted decreases of 17.1% in occupancy to 52.7%; 7.6% in ADR to US$266.80; and 23.3% in RevPAR to US$140.71.

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, STR, Survey, Research, Visitor Arrivals, January 2009