Posted on Monday, 4.5.2010 Miami Hotel Rates - Miami Tourism Miami tourism and South Florida hotel occupancy increased again last week, according to Smith Travel Research, unaffected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Occupancy in Palm Beach County rose to 63 percent from 54.1 percent in the prior-year period for the week ended June 26. Miami hotel occupancy rose to 67.2 percent from 64.2 percent. Broward County occupancy rose to 63.3 percent from 61.7 percent.
Across the U.S., hotel occupancy rose to 69.7 percent from 65.3 percent. However, average daily room rates were mixed.
Miami hotel rates rose 2.3 percent, to $119.43 from $116.75. In Beach County, the average daily rate fell to $97.82 from $98.19. In Broward the average daily rate fell 3.5 percent to $92.36 from $95.72. The nationwide average daily room rate rose from $97.72 to $98.79, and 1.1 percent increase.
With all eyes on the growing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, this increase in occupancy is great news government and industry officials say. The oil has infected beaches in the Panhandle but has not yet had an impact the rest of the state.
An executive at BP explained that the had more than $20 billion set aside for damages stemming from the disaster, but some fear that amount will not be enough. Governor Charlie Crist has asked BP for an additional $50 million in Miami tourism funds to convince potential visitors that most of Florida’s 825 miles of famous beaches are still unaffected by the oil spill. |