Western Mountain Lodging Revenues Pacing Ahead of Last Season

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18 March 2015

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SAM Magazine—Denver, March 18, 2015—The most recent results for western mountain lodging properties at 19 resort communities in six western states show revenues are up 12.3 percent compared to the same period last season, while occupancy is up 6.5 percent. The data include activity through Feb. 28 and are collected and reported on by DestiMetrics, a Denver-based mountain travel research firm.

DestiMetrics' latest monthly report shows aggregated revenues collected and on-the-books reservations for the remainder of the season reached 104.5 percent of last season's overall total. However, the report cautioned that the booking pace for the month of February was down 11.7 percent from the same time last year.

“The drop in booking pace this February was certainly sharper than usual due to less than favorable conditions in many resorts, although strength in long-lead bookings from late fall through January created a solid foundation for lodging properties that are keeping both the Far West and Rocky Mountain resorts pacing ahead of last year,” said Ralf Garrison, director of DestiMetrics.

Looking forward to the remainder of the season, March is expected to remain virtually unchanged for occupancy. Meanwhile, bookings for the Easter holiday April 3-5 are up dramatically, with a 16.8 gain in occupancy and an 18.9 percent increase in revenue as of Feb. 28.

The Far West resorts in California, Nevada and Oregon are up 7.3 percent in occupancy compared to last year, with an aggregated 8.2 percent increase in revenue through Feb. 28, despite challenging weather conditions. In the Rockies region that includes Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, occupancy increased in all six months of the ski season for a 6.4 percent increase in occupancy and an aggregated 12.6 percent increase in revenue.

“Leisure travel and the mountain resort industry are experiencing sustained growth based on the strong economy and the active participation of winter visitors,” said Garrison. “And, even though the pace of bookings has slowed over the past 30 days, we expect a strong overall season, with several destinations breaking all-time records that were set back in 2007-08.”