International events will help boost UK hotel industry

Although the UK hotel industry faces another difficult year in 2009, a number of international events and the fall in the value of the pound may soften the impact, consultancy PKF said today.

Its Hotel Britain 2009 report, based on the performance of 548 hotels, representing over 88,000 rooms, found that UK hotels saw revenue per available room (revpar) fall from £74.33 in 2007 to £74.10 in 2008.

Occupancy was also down, dropping by 2.5% to 73.9%, although room rate increased by 2.3% to £100.33 across the UK.

Robert Barnard, hotel consultancy services partner at PKF, said: "There is no doubt that there are challenges ahead, but while this 2009 edition of Hotel Britain is the gloomiest yet, there are important positives to remember.

"The UK is hosting a number of international sporting events in 2009 such as The Ashes and the ICC World Twenty20 and these may boost UK visitor numbers."

Barnard also pointed out that Sterling has dropped to record lows against the Euro and the US Dollar and said this should encourage visitors from both Europe and North America who, in the last few years, have avoided the UK.

"Finally, while the luxury sector is slowing, the budget end of the spectrum is still reporting positive results and both Premier Inn and Travelodge have aggressive development plans for 2009," he added.

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By Gemma Sharkey

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