Hotel room sales continue upward trend

Springfield hotel room sales increased 4.2 percent in April to $6.25 million, according to the latest statistics from the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.

While demand for hotel rooms in the city was roughly flat, a higher average daily rate helped grow the sales figure for the month and continue the trend for the year.

Room sales through April are up 5.7 percent to $23.4 million, compared to $22.1 million at the same time last year. The average daily rate in April was $70.28 per room, up from $67.06 per room in April 2011. The year-to-date average rate is $68.63 per room, 4 percent higher than last year.

According to CVB statistics in the June president’s report, room supply in the city dipped 2.5 percent to 180,540 available rooms in April, and supply is roughly flat for the year. Also, the city’s occupancy rate – a key barometer to the health of the industry – remained below 50 percent at 49.2 percent in April and 46.8 percent for the year. Both numbers are up about 2 percent, the report said.

A separate set of statistics for the Branson market, collected by Smith Travel Research, said room demand at the tourist destination has been down 10 of the last 13 months but recorded an uptick of 1 percent in April. Branson’s average daily rate and room sales were flat.

Statewide, Smith Travel data said room demand was flat, the average daily rate was up 5 percent, and room sales were up 4.7 percent.

According to the CVB report, May hotel statistics, though not complete, appear to be on the rise in room sales, average daily rates and revenue per available room. Room demand is expected to be flat.