Springfield hotel room sales rise 7% in December

December hotel room sales in Springfield grew by 7 percent to $4.7 million during the month, according to the latest statistics from the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The uptick pushed year-to-date sales to $78.5 million, an 8 percent increase compared to the year before, according to the CVB monthly report.

Room demand in December was up 3 percent to 70,141 rooms filled, and the average daily rate rose 4 percent to $66.43 per room. Room demand through December was up 5 percent to 1.15 million rooms filled, and the average daily rate was up 3 percent to $68.04.

Room supply was flat in December and for the year, the CVB report said.

December’s 38 percent occupancy rate brought the year-to-date rate to 52 percent, a 5 percent increase compared to the previous year.

A separate report by Smith Travel Research that CVB officials regularly review reveals a softer December than CVB’s internal statistics.

The STR Report showed Springfield room demand was up 1 percent, the average daily rate was up 1.8 percent and room revenues were up 2.7 percent.

In Branson, the STR Report said room sales and room demand were both down roughly 8 percent for the year.

“Branson has been off in room demand the last eight months and December finally broke the trend – barely,” the CVB president’s report said.

December room demand was up 0.3 percent in Branson, leaving the year-to-date demand down 9 percent.

Missouri’s year-to-date room demand and room sales are up 2 percent and 4 percent, respectively, while demand is up 5 percent nationwide and sales are up 9 percent.

Also in the February meeting, the board received a 2012–13 revenue budget proposal that calls for a 3.2 percent increase in revenue largely driven by a 17 percent projected increase in advertising revenue. In January, the CVB entered into an advertising management contract with the Springfield-Branson National Airport that shares proceeds for terminal ad placements 50-50 in the first year.

The CVB projects $3.03 million in annual revenue, up from a revised $2.93 million in 2011–12.