US: STR reports 38,409 new rooms opened in ‘11

The U.S. hotel industry during 2011 opened 373 new properties with 38,409 rooms, which resulted in a 0.5-percent increase in existing room supply, according to data from STR/McGraw Hill Construction Dodge Pipeline Report.

"In December 2010 there were 75,747 rooms projected to open in the United States in 2011," said Duane Vinson, VP, database content and integrity at STR. "At the conclusion of the year, 38,409 have opened, or 50.8 percent of those expected, which resulted in net supply increase of 0.5 percent."

Among the Chain Scale segments, the Upper Midscale segment opened the most rooms in 2011 with 172 projects and 15,579 rooms. The segment reported a 36.6-percent decrease in the number of rooms that opened in 2011 compared to 2010. The Upper Midscale segment was followed by the Upscale segment, which opened 64 properties with 8,557 rooms in 2011, and the Midscale segment, which opened 45 properties with 4,051 rooms. The Luxury segment opened the smallest number of new rooms in 2011 (two properties with 1,261 rooms).

"As we bring an end to 2011, there are 70,291 rooms on schedule to open in 2012, of which 40,371 are currently under construction," Vinson continued. "With a significant number of rooms in Final Planning (110,836) and a 7.9-percent increase in Pre Planning rooms from last month, we continue to closely monitor overall development for a pickup in supply in the next few years."

In 2012, the U.S. hotel industry is expecting 649 properties to open with 70,291 rooms. Among the Chain Scale segments, the Upper Midscale segment is expected to open the largest number of rooms in 2012 with 249 properties and 24,269 rooms. The Midscale segment (169 properties with 13,179 rooms) and the Upscale segment (129 properties with 18,276 rooms) also are expected to open a significant number of new rooms in 2012.

The total active U.S. hotel development pipeline comprises 2,855 projects totaling 307,664 rooms, according to the December 2011 STR/McGraw Hill Construction Dodge Pipeline Report released this week. This represents a 3.1-percent decrease in the number of rooms in the total active pipeline compared to December 2010.

About STR/McGraw Hill Construction Dodge Pipeline Report:

The Pipeline Report is co-produced by McGraw Hill Construction Dodge, and the dedicated pipeline team at STR. Available as an annual subscription or a local Market Supply Report, the Pipeline Report is a comprehensive look at new hotel development and existing supply in the U.S. and Canada.