Hotel Figures For Sept. Dismal As Expected

U.S. hotel occupancies in September fell 15.9 percent over the prior year, to 55.9 percent, and room rates for the month decreased 8.9 percent, to $79.30, Smith Travel Research reported today. Meanwhile, room revenues dropped 23.4 percent.
September's results confirmed the industry's expectation that performance would be down as a result of the terrorist attacks during the month. The events of mid-September also adversely affected third-quarter 2001 results, which Smith Travel also announced. For the quarter, occupancy rates were 64.2 percent, a decrease of 8 percent versus third-quarter 2000. Room revenues for the quarter fell 11.2 percent.