STR Reports US Hotel Performance for April 2011

According to data from STR, the U.S. hotel industry posted increases in all three key performance measurements during April 2011.

In year-on-year measurements, the industry's occupancy was up 4.9% to 61.2%, ADR ended the month with a 2.8% increase to US$100.55, and RevPAR rose 7.9% 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% 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% to 64.1%. Four other markets posted occupancy increases of 10% or more: Nashville, Tennessee (+11.2% to 65.4%); Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Virginia (+10.8% to 59.2%); Orlando, Florida (+10.8% to 76.4%); and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota-Wisconsin (+10.0% to 64.1%). Washington, D.C., fell 6% in occupancy to 73.7%, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.

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

Five markets achieved RevPAR increases of more than 15%: Houston (+26% to US$62.73); Miami-Hialeah (+23.8% to US$136.25); Oahu Island (+19.2% to US$120.20); Orlando (+16.8% to US$78.08); and Nashville (+16.2% to US$62.25). Washington, D.C., reported the only RevPAR decrease, falling 8.8% to US$111.55.

See recent travel news from: Travel News Asia, STR, April 2011