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Charlotte Celebrates Hotel Occupancy Recovery
August 24, 2010
For the sixth consecutive month in June, hotel occupancy increased in Charlotte, N.C., indicating a tourism recovery for the Queen City, local newspaper
The Charlotte Observer reported this month, citing numbers from Smith Travel Research and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA).
According to the data, occupancy at Charlotte hotels was approximately 61 percent in June, up 8.6 percent from the year before and topping 60 percent for the third consecutive month — the first time that's happened since 2008. Year to date, occupancy was about 58 percent, compared to 53 percent in 2009. That's a 10 percent increase, compared to 4.4 percent growth nationally.
Not all news is good news for Charlotte, however. Despite occupancy growth, the city reported a decline in average daily room rate, to $77 in June 2010 from $80 in June 2009. Year to date, room rates are down 3.8 percent, to $79 from $82. Also down are hospitality tax collections, which totaled $21.4 million in June, down 5 percent from the same period last year.
Still, the CRVA is optimistic about the future, according to The Charlotte Observer, which reported that the number of room nights booked in Charlotte already is above target for several years out, thanks to conventions, trade shows and meetings. In fact, the CRVA estimates it's at 101 percent of its room-night pace, compared to an average 97 percent for competing destinations, such as Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
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