Hotels growth slows during August

UK hoteliers reported a much slower rate of growth in August, according to the latest monthly figures from consultancy TRI.

Occupancy levels during the month rose by just 0.3 percentage points to 76.5%, compared with 76.3% at the same point last year.

Room rates rose by 3.6% to £64.47, against £62.24 last year, and revenue per available room (revpar) was up by 4% to £49.35, against £47.46 last year.

This compares with 1.9% occupancy growth reported for July, a 7.5% increase in room rate and a 10.2% rise in revpar.

While the figures are a disappointment after steady growth during the year, TRI was careful to stress that August is traditionally the weakest trading month for business hotels.

The fact that the industry began to pick up around this time last year, so making comparatives that much tougher, was another factor in the slower growth rate, it said.

In the capital, occupancy levels increased by one percentage point during August to 84.8%, room rate was ahead by 1.7% at £76.06, and revpar was up by 3% to £63.47.

In the provinces, occupancy was ahead by 0.2% at 73.7%, room rate was up by 4.9% to £59.82, and revpar was up by 5.2% at £44.07.

"The heady growth has certainly slowed but this was expected as comparative data becomes tougher," said Jonathan Langston, TRI Hospitality managing director.

"The good news for the industry is that revpar is continuing to rise at a rate above inflation," he added.

"Occupancy is approaching peak levels and we expect room rate to advance the most as the recovery continues," he continued.

by Nic Paton

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