HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—Washington, D.C., reported the smallest decreases in all three performance metrics for August 2009, according to data compiled by Smith Travel Research.
The market’s occupancy fell 0.6 percent to 65.5 percent, average daily rate dropped 4.7 percent to US$121.48, and revenue per available room fell 5.2 percent to US$79.55.
Overall in year-over-year measurements, the U.S. hotel industry’s occupancy fell 9.9 percent to end the month at 60.7 percent. ADR dropped 10.1 percent to finish the month at US$96.58. RevPAR for the month decreased 19.0 percent to finish at US$58.65.
“The results for August, while not a surprise, were unfortunately a continuation of what the industry has been reporting over the past several months,” said Mark Lomanno, president of STR. “Demand, while showing signs of stabilization, is still well below year earlier numbers. We are not likely to see improvement in this key indicator for another month or two, where favorable comps to last year will begin to be realized. In addition, the continued erosion in room rates will increasingly put a strain on profitability. The last quarter of 2009 will be closely scrutinized as we look for any swings that might reflect a turnaround.”
Detroit, Michigan, experienced the largest decrease in occupancy, falling 17.9 percent to 53.8 percent, followed by Houston, Texas, with a 16.6-percent decrease to 51.7 percent.
Denver, Colorado, reported the largest ADR decrease, falling 30.2 percent to US$89.61. New York, New York, also experienced a large drop in ADR, which fell 27.1 percent to US$185.56, followed by San Francisco/San Mateo (-17.4 percent to US$127.87).
Denver experienced the largest RevPAR decrease, down 38.3 percent to US$60.51.
Source: Smith Travel Research
Read official press release for August 2009 from STR.
