STR: U.S. occupancy surpasses 50%

The latest data from STR had some positive news for the U.S. hotel industry: For the week of Oct. 4-10, weekly occupancy hit 50 percent for just the second time since the low point of the pandemic. 

Compared to the same week in 2019, occupancy was down 29.2 percent to 50 percent. Average daily rate was $97.67, a 25.9 percent decrease, while revenue per available room was $48.85, down 47.5 percent year over year.

While a handful of the highest occupancy markets were those in areas affected by natural disasters like the California wildfires, Saturday produced the week’s highest occupancy (65.2 percent) and ADR ($110.84), indicating that the leisure and weekend staycation demand seen during the summer may return in the fall.  

Top Markets

Aggregate data for the top 25 markets showed lower occupancy (44.1 percent) but higher ADR ($101.17) than all other markets. 

Seven of those major markets reached or surpassed 50 percent occupancy, led by Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Va. (54.7 percent); Houston (54.4 percent) and San Diego (54.2 percent).

Markets with the lowest occupancy levels for the week included Oahu Island, Hawaii (19.3 percent), and Orlando (33.7 percent).