‘Strong and encouraging' 2013 figures for UK hotel industry

The UK hotel sector has been dubbed "strong", as it ended the past year with significantly increased room yields, new figures from 2013 show today.

Room yields in 2013 increased by 9.9% year-on-year (up to £35.56 compared with £32.35), due to a rise in room rate and a 5% rise in occupancy from 59.9% to 62.9%, according to preliminary figures from accountancy firm BDO LLP.

In London, room yields rose by 5.9% to £99.44, due largely to an improvement in room rate (from £118.79 to £125.31) and a 0.4% rise in occupancy (76.2% in 2013 compared with 75.8% in 2012).

Robert Barnard, partner at BDO LLP, said: "This is strong and encouraging set of results with which to end the year. Growth in the regions seems to be leading the sector out of recession.

"London also enjoyed a strong end to the year despite the difficult start when the City was managing the oversupply hangover from the Olympics. Although the strong second half of the year didn't quite make up the lost ground, improved sentiment surrounding the economy and a strengthening corporate market bodes well for 2014."

He added that this was the first year since 2005 that the regions had "led the charge" in comparison to the capital.

BDO hotel trends surveys consider mainly three- and four-star, chain hotels across the country, although in London it does consider more five-star sites.

Optimism builds in UK hotel sector >>

Hotels results for July provide cautious optimism for future >>