Average room rates in UK hotels continued to strengthen during September 2004, proving that the industry is showing consistent recovery, according to PKF hotel consultancy services.
Figures published by PKF today show average room rate for London hotels rose by 5.5% to £108.63 during the month, but occupancy dropped by 0.6% to 82%.
This left revenue per available room (revpar) up by 4.9% at £89.04.
Outside London, UK hoteliers saw a good performance in September, with average room rate up by 3.9% at £66.72, occupancy ahead by 1.1% at 78.8%, and revpar up by 5% at £52.55.
Robert Barnard, partner for hotel consultancy services at PKF, said: "UK hoteliers have turned in a strong performance during September this year.
"Occupancy levels both in London and the provinces are robust, enabling hoteliers to increase average room rates.
"Next month's figures will be fairly critical, however, as that is when we will really be able to measure how far hotel performance has come since the aftermath of the Iraq war last year and the ongoing impact of 11 September 2001."
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