Hotel activity in Springfield increased slightly in August, according to the latest Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau statistics.
Room demand was up 0.9 percent for the month to 108,744 rooms filled, and the average daily rate rose 1.8 percent to $66.43. As a result, room sales in the city grew by 2.7 percent to $7.22 million in August, the CVB report said. Year-to-date room sales in the city are up 8.5 percent to $54.17 million.
In August, Springfield’s room supply dipped by 0.5 percent to 186,837, according to the report, which cited the closure of Budget Lodge on North Glenstone Avenue.
With August’s 58.2 percent occupancy rate, year-to-date occupancy has climbed to 53.7 percent. The current rate is significant considering hotel-motel occupancy has finished below 50 percent in Springfield the last two years – 49.7 percent in 2010 and 49.1 percent in 2009.
According to Smith Travel Research, U.S. room demand is up 4.4 percent and room sales are up 7.9 percent. In Missouri, demand is up only 0.5 percent and sales are up 1.9 percent.
A Smith Travel report said Branson’s hospitality industry has been slow the last five months and August finished with room demand down 9.6 percent, with the average daily rate down 2.2 percent and room sales down 11.6 percent.
The CVB board will review the August statistics during tomorrow’s 8 a.m. directors meeting. CVB President Tracy Kimberlin said in his report that hotel room demand, rates and sales are expected to grow moderately in September.[[In-content Ad]]
