January 2012 hotel
bookings through global distribution system channels decreased 1.6 percent
compared with the previous year but still represent a "strong and steadfast
volume" for corporate travel, according to Pegasus Solutions.
January 2011 GDS
bookings had increased about 28 percent compared with the prior year, and this
year's decrease was lower than the 3.4 percent year-over-year drop in bookings reported
for December 2011.
"Now that the holidays are behind us and conferences
are beginning to ramp up again, it is encouraging that strong reservation
activity is maintained and that traction has been made against prior year since
last month," according to Pegasus.
The firm projected a
similar pattern for the coming months, with volumes staying near last year's
levels through April and possibly growing from May.
The January 2012 average
daily hotel rate booked through GDSs increased 3.8 percent year over year, and
Pegasus projected additional growth through May. "Consistently rising
rates illustrate further evidence of corporate travel's vitality and its
capacity to carry on as the brawn behind industry's recovery," according
to Pegasus.
Specifically in North
America, January GDS bookings were down 2 percent year over year, and the
average daily rate jumped by 7 percent. Bookings in Europe were down by 3.9
percent and ADR was up by 1.4 percent. South America was the only region to see
an increase in GDS bookings, up 3.2 percent coupled with an 8.1 percent ADR increase.
January GDS bookings in Africa, Asia and Oceania nearly were flat, and ADR decreased
by 1.6 percent.