U.S. Hotel Performance for April 2009

According to data from research specialists - STR, the U.S. hotel industry posted declines in all three key performance measurements during April 2009.

In year-over-year measurements, the industry’s occupancy fell 11.1% to end the month at 56.4%. The average daily rate dropped 9.4% to finish the month at US$98.37 while revenue per available room for the month decreased 19.5% to finish at US$55.48.

“While the industry’s performance continues to struggle from an occupancy rate perspective, for the first time in April there was some positive news,” said Mark Lomanno, president of STR. “The transient weekend travel was positive for the month, which means the weekend leisure travelers are at least beginning to entertain the idea of coming back into the marketplace. I still remain hopeful that the industry will see some relief this summer.”

The Top 25 Markets reported mixed results in the three key performance metrics, ranging from single-digit increases to double-digit decreases, in year-over-year results:

Detroit, Michigan, which reported flat ADR growth of 0.1% to US$89.57 for the month, was the only market to avoid a decrease in any of the key performance metrics.

Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Virginia, reported the smallest decrease in occupancy, which was down 0.8% to 57.9%.

Three other markets also reported occupancy decreases of less than 5%: New York (-4.7% to 79.7%); Orlando, Florida (-4.3% to 69.9%); and Oahu Island, Hawaii (-1.8% to 70.6%).

Chicago, Illinois, reported the largest decrease in occupancy, which was down 20% to 55.3%.

New York (-25.5% to US$203.58) and Chicago (-18.2% to US$115.29) reported the largest ADR decreases.

Norfolk-Virginia Beach was the only market to report a single-digit decrease in RevPAR, which was down 6.2% to US$45.49.

Six markets reported RevPAR decreases of more than 25%: Chicago (-34.5% to US$63.75); New York (-29.0% to US$162.17); Phoenix, Arizona (-28.0% to US$70.64); San Diego (-27.2% to US$79.51); Boston, Massachusetts (-25.5% to US$85.34); and Los Angeles-Long Beach, California (-25.5% to US$71.05).

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