Mapping U.S. time-lapsed RevPAR performance | By Carter Wilson

Based on the response to our last article, the visualization of data trends seems to have struck a nerve. Using geographic information systems (GIS) software to understand the nature of fundamental shifts in our industry is becoming more important to all participants.Last month we presented a fairly simple map detailing year-over-year RevPAR change, by STR tract, for one point in time. This time we've expanded that concept, and we've created a time-lapsed series from January 2007 through May 2010. In the video below, we have color-coded the 12-month moving average change for RevPAR by STR tract. Since it's a moving average, there aren't huge swings on a month-to-month basis, and most shifts occur in the -2.0 percent to 2.0 percent range.