After a decline as the summer ended, U.S. hotel occupancy remained nearly flat for two consecutive weeks, according to the latest data from STR.
For the week of September 20-26, occupancy was 48.7 percent, down 31.5 percent from the same week in 2019 and up 0.1 percent from the previous week. Average daily rate reached $96.38, down 29.6 percent year over year, while revenue per available room was $46.96, down 51.7 percent from 2019.
Top Markets
Most of the markets with the highest occupancy levels were those in areas with displaced residents from natural disasters. Mobile, Ala., reported the week’s highest occupancy level at 74.9 percent in the wake of Hurricane Sally. Amid continued wildfires, California South/Central was next at 74.3 percent.
Aggregate data for the top 25 markets showed lower occupancy (42.9 percent), but higher ADR ($99.25) than all other markets.
Four of those major markets reached or surpassed 50 percent occupancy: Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Va. (55.9 percent); San Diego (53.6 percent); Los Angeles/Long Beach (52.7 percent); and Detroit (50.6 percent).
Markets with the lowest occupancy levels for the week included Oahu Island, Hawaii (18.2 percent) and Orlando (31.9 percent).