Springfield lodging industry starts year with dips

The Queen City lodging industry posted dips in key categories during the first two months of the year, according to data provided by the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The occupancy rate through February decreased 0.4 percent to 50.1 percent, room revenue was down 2.8 percent and rooms sold dropped by 4.9 percent, according to a news release.

The CVB cited record-breaking months in January and February 2016, as well as one fewer day in February this year. CVB officials say March is on track to perform better than last year and come close to erasing the deficits in the first two months of 2017.

Conversely, average daily rate was up 2.2 percent to $77.70, and revenue per available room increased 1.8 perent to $38.92.

The CVB also reported:
    •    $13.8 million in event leads influencing positive economic impact for the first two months of the year, as well as $7.75 million in definite bookings but also $4.3 million in lost opportunities;
    •    airport traffic of 124,336 enplaned and deplaned passengers in January and February, compared with 116,543 in the same period last year; and
    •    467 volunteers hours affecting tourism so far this year.

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