UK hotel industry still recovering

The UK's hotels put in another robust performance during June, but in London they still haven't recovered to pre-11 September 2001 levels.

London hotels saw occupancy up by 5.4% to 83.1% during the month, while average room rate rose by 8.5% to £113.93, according to consultancy PKF.

Revenue per available room (revpar) increased by 14.4% to £94.62.

Outside London, hoteliers saw occupancy up by 3.5% to 75.6% and room rate increase by 3.6% to £64.45.

As a result, revpar rose by 7.2% to £48.72.

Robert Barnard, hotel consultancy services director at PKF, said: "The results for the London and regional hotels are very encouraging and reflect the much-improved trading conditions in the UK."

But he pointed out that London hoteliers are yet to break the £100 revpar barrier, "a feat they achieved comfortably in June 2000 and June 2001."

In June 2000 revpar reached £106.39, while in 2001 it was £100.22.

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