The U.S. hotel industry’s occupancy rose 4% to 63.6%, its ADR was up 3.9% to US$105.91 and its RevPAR increased 8% to US$67.38, according to data from STR.
“A very strong March contributed to a solid first quarter showing for the industry”, said Amanda Hite, STR’s president. “Spring breaks, unseasonable warm weather across the country, and the fact that March included 10 Fridays and Saturdays compared to only eight in 2011 helped boost monthly and first quarter performance. The extra weekend days had a positive impact on leisure-oriented hotels, particularly in the upper midscale, midscale and economy segments.”
Among the top U.S. 25 markets, Nashville, Tennessee, experienced the largest occupancy increase, rising 17.2% to 73.4%, followed by Houston, with a 10.4% increase to 73.2%. Philadelphia posted the largest decrease, falling 3.1% in occupancy to 66.7%, followed by Anaheim-Santa Ana, California, with a 1.1% decrease to 75.9%.
Oahu Island, Hawaii, achieved the only double-digit ADR increase, rising 11.2% to US$173.78. Washington, D.C., fell 1.9% in ADR to US$156.26, reporting the only decrease in that metric.