HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee – The U.S. hotel industry posted declines in all three key performance measurements during the week of 30 August-5 September 2009, according to data from STR.

In year-over-year measurements, the industry’s occupancy fell 1.4 percent to end the week at 53.4 percent. Average daily rate dropped 8.6 percent to finish the week at US$92.20. Revenue per available room for the week decreased 9.9 percent to finish at US$49.28.

Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota-Wisconsin, which hosted the Republican National Convention 1-4 September 2008, reported the largest decreases in all three key metrics: Occupancy dropped 21.9 percent to 61.5 percent; ADR fell 49.2 percent to US$89.22; and RevPAR decreased 60.3 percent to US$54.88.

Among the Top 25 Markets, Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Virginia, reported the largest double-digit occupancy increase, jumping 16.5 percent to 54.8 percent. Five other markets reported double-digit occupancy increases: San Francisco/San Mateo, California (+13.5 percent to 82.0 percent); Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida (+12.8 percent to 41.6 percent); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-New Jersey (+11.5 percent to 58.1 percent); Anaheim-Santa Ana, California (+11.4 percent to 57.7 percent); and San Diego, California (+11.2 percent to 66.0 percent). Houston, Texas (-16.7 percent to 46.1 percent) and Dallas, Texas (-13.5 percent to 46.3 percent) reported large occupancy decrease.

Atlanta, Georgia (+7.2 percent to US$87.62) and Norfolk-Virginia Beach (+4.2 percent to US$94.93) were the only markets to report ADR increases. Three markets, excluding Minneapolis-St. Paul, posted ADR decreases of more than 20 percent: New York, New York (-30.1 percent to US$192.22); Denver, Colorado (-28.2 percent to US$82.47); and New Orleans, Louisiana (-24.1 percent to US$83.49).

Norfolk-Virginia Beach jumped 21.5 percent in RevPAR to US$51.98, followed by San Francisco (+4.1 percent to US$109.55) and Tampa-St. Petersburg (+3.3 percent to US$33.58). In addition to Minneapolis-St. Paul, two markets reported RevPAR decreases of more than 25 percent: Denver (-35.3 percent to US$48.16) and New York (-28.4 percent to US$155.31).

About STR & STR Global

For more than 20 years, Smith Travel Research has been the recognized leader for hotel industry benchmarking and research. Smith Travel Research and STR Global offer monthly, weekly, and daily STAR benchmarking reports to more than 37,000 hotel clients, representing nearly 5 million rooms worldwide. STR is headquartered in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and STR Global is based in London. For more information, visit or .

Jeff Higley (STR)
VP, Digital Media & Communications
+1 (615) 824-8664 ext. 3318
STR