News Search

Push to The Latest: No
SAM Magazine-Denver, Colo., Apr. 19, 2010-In some of the most solid results for the mountain travel industry during the past 12 months, lodging occupancy was up 9.6 percent in March compared to March 2009, according to the latest data released by the Mountain Travel Research Program (MTRiP). This was the third consecutive month with year-over-year increases. For the season, occupancy at mountain travel destinations rose 1.3 percent, while the average daily rate was down five percent.

"These figures indicate that a positive trend has now been established," said Ralf Garrison, author of the monthly report. "It is now virtually certain that the winter season occupancies will exceed those of 2008-09. But our enthusiasm remains cautious since occupancy rates remain fragile and overall revenues continue to lag behind those of last year."

Currently, April reservations are down 4.6 percent compared to April 2009, while lodging rates are up 4.2 percent.

The report also showed that for the upcoming six months, occupancy rates remain down 2.8 percent when compared to the same period last year, while rates are up 2.5 percent. These figures represent improvements from the February report, when occupancy was down 5.6 percent and the average rate was only up 0.8 percent. On a bright note, occupancy for July, August and September is running ahead of last year by 2.9, 13.1 and 21.8 percent, respectively.

Continuing a trend that began in the final months of 2009, long-lead reservations are increasing. Reservations taken in March for arrival in March through August are up 20.5 percent compared to 2009.