Hoteliers will look forward to the Christmas rush after news that the industry held steady in October, according to new research.
The research, by accountants PKF, shows that hotels in London experienced a 6 per cent year on year rise in average room rates during October, bringing it to £107.85.
However, occupancy slipped by 2.2 per cent to 79.6 per cent, leaving rooms yield up 3.7 per cent at £85.89 on average.
Outside the capital, hoteliers saw little change in average room rates, only 0.4 per cent up on the same month last year.
In addition, occupancy was unchanged at 75.6 per cent, leaving rooms yield up by only 0.4 peer cent at £50.06.
Robert Barnard, partner for consultancy services at PKF, said: “The UK hotel industry has achieved another solid performance in October, in marked contrast to that sad October in 2001 which saw occupancy fall to 65.1 per cent in London with average room rate at £105.75."
Reasons for the increase in tourism may include lessening anxiety over the events of September 11 2001 and the foot and mouth crisis during the same year.
Barnard said: “The figure demonstrate not only the impact that major world events can have on London, but also the capital’s resilience in bouncing back from such disasters. Let’s hope this positive performance heralds a strong end to the year in the run up to Christmas.”
