by Calculated Risk on 8/06/2009 11:48:00 AM

From HotelNewsNow.com: STR reports US performance for week ending 1 August 2009

In year-over-year measurements, the industry’s occupancy fell 6.4 percent to end the week at 66.5 percent. Average daily rate dropped 9.6 percent to finish the week at US$97.48. Revenue per available room for the week decreased 15.5 percent to finish at US$64.86.

Click on graph for larger image in new window.

This graph shows the YoY change in the occupancy rate (3 week trailing average).

The three week average is off 7.6% from the same period in 2008.

The average daily rate is down 9.6%, and RevPAR is off 15.5% from the same week last year.

Comments: This is a multi-year slump. Although the occupancy rate was off 6.6 percent compared to last year, the occupancy rate is off about 10 percent compared to the same week in 2007.

Also, the end of July and beginning of August is the peak leisure travel period. The peak occupancy rate for the year was probably two weeks ago at 67%.

Note: Graph doesn't start at zero to better show the change.

Business travel is off much more than leisure travel, so the summer months are not as weak as other times of the year. September will be the real test for business travel.

Data Source: Smith Travel Research, Courtesy of HotelNewsNow.com