Springfield hotel room sales drop in September

Springfield hotel room sales decreased 1.8 percent to $6.7 million in September, compared to $6.8 million in the same month of 2011.

However, room sales for the year through September have increased to $61.7 million from $61 million in the asme period of 2011. The average daily rate increased both for the month and year, to $70.28 and $70.39, respectively, according to Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau data in a Dec. 5 newsletter.

The hotel occupancy rate in the city dropped to 52.8 percent in September from 54.3 percent in the same month last year. For the year, the occupancy rate was 53.1 percent through September, compared to 53.8 percent in 2011.

Room supply was roughly flat at 180,540 in September and for the year, at 1.6 million. Room demand decreased to 95,307 in September from 97,926. Through September, year-to-date room demand dropped to 876,391 from 894,543, according to the CVB.