S. Fla. hotel occupancy, rates continue freefall - South Florida Business Journal:
Hotel occupancy and rates fell again last week, according to data from
Smith Travel Research.
For the week ended Nov. 14, average daily room rates in Palm Beach County fell 16.1 percent, to $109.70 from $130.77 at the same time last year. Miami-Dade rates fell 14.5 percent, to $130.85 from $146.31. Rates in Broward fell 13.2 percent, to $98.98 from $114.01.
Average rates across the U.S. were down 9.9 percent, to $95.86 from $106.45 in the prior-year period.
Occupancy in Miami-Dade fell to 71.9 percent from 78.9 percent. Palm Beach County occupancy fell to 62.7 percent from 67.4 percent. Occupancy in Broward fell to 67.7 percent from 72.4 percent.
Nationwide, occupancy fell to 52.6 percent from 56.2 percent.
Though the environment remains challenging, things are improving in Broward as we move into winter, said Alfredo Gonzalez, VP of tourism and international business at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. For October, occupancy was essentially flat in Broward.
“Hopefully, the next 12 weeks will set us apart from the rest of the Florida market,” he said.
Virgin America Airlines debuted at
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, where it will offer twice-daily nonstop flights from
San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.
The San Francisco flights are expected to bring a “significant” number of gay, lesbian and bisexual travelers, an important demographic for Fort Lauderdale, Gonzalez noted.
And, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever built, recently docked at Port Everglades. That’s also good for Broward tourism, he added. Finally, Broward will benefit from the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl being held in Miami this winter, he said.