Orlando hotel occupancy slides, but most room prices don't | orlandosentinel.com
Orlando-area hotels were less full in October than a year earlier -- the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year declines for the local lodging market. The average hotel in the Orlando market was 61.9 percent full last month, compared with 65.3 percent in October 2007, according to Smith Travel Research, for a decline of 5.1 percent. Revenue per available room -- a key industry measure -- was also down 5.1 percent from a year ago. Despite the lower occupancy rate, the average room price remained steady, a sign that hoteliers are resisting the temptation to mark down their properties. "The hoteliers, as well as the attractions, are going to try to maintain the integrity of their price schedule," said Richard Maladecki, president of the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association. "I think we're going from a discounting culture to an enhancement culture."
