by Calculated Risk on 4/01/2010 02:25:00 PM

From HotelNewsNow.com: STR: Boston leads weekly numbers

Overall, the U.S. industry’s occupancy ended the week with a 5.9-percent increase to 59.9 percent, average daily rate dropped 1.6 percent to US$98.29, and RevPAR was up 4.2 percent to US$58.89.

The following graph shows the occupancy rate by week since 2000, and the rolling 52 week average occupancy rate.

Click on graph for larger image in new window.

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

The graph shows the distinct seasonal pattern for the occupancy rate; higher in the summer because of leisure/vacation travel, and lower on certain holidays.

The average occupancy rate for this week is close to 65% (during the 2004 to 2007 period), so the current 59.9% is still well below normal.

The lower than normal occupancy rate is still pushing down room rates (on a YoY basis) although revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased for the fourth straight week.

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