Transient business travel bookings at North
American hotels continue to look bleak, according to figures from TravelClick's
July 2016 North American Hospitality Review. Reserved occupancy for the third
quarter is down 6 percent from this time last year, and new business transient
bookings have declined 4 percent during the past 30 days. Average daily rate
for the third quarter is up 2.9 percent in the segment. Business transient
bookings for the fourth quarter look more promising, with reserved occupancy up
3.8 percent from this time last year. Group booking pace, up 1.3 percent for
the third quarter and 4.1 percent for the fourth quarter, is showing signs of
future weakness, according to TravelClick senior industry analyst John Hach. The
July NAHR examines group sales commitments and individual reservations in 25
major North American markets for hotel stays booked by July 1, 2016, for the
period between July 2016 to June 2017.