Snowfall in January affects many UK hoteliers

22nd February 2010, 9:48am

The large amounts of snowfall that fell in January affected many UK hoteliers both positively and negatively, according to preliminary monthly figures for January released by PKF Hotel Consultancy Services.

The capital was largely unaffected by the snow, although some incoming business travellers will have had their plans altered due to London airport closures, and hoteliers achieved fairly robust growth over the month.

Room rate increased by 4.1% from £110.26 last year to £114.80 this year, room occupancy increased 4.9% from 67.5% last year to 70.9% this year. Overall, rooms yield increased by a solid 9.2% to £81.38.

In the regions, the picture was different as snowfall affected many parts and this had both a positive and negative impact on occupancy levels. Overall occupancy levels showed a 1.4% increase on the same time last year, from 55.1% to 55.9%. Room rate continued to suffer however, down 6.4% to £65.26 and this brought rooms yield down by 5.1% to £36.48.

Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham were cities whose hoteliers were affected negatively by the snow. In Leeds, occupancy was down 0.5% compared to the same time last year, to 62.3% with rooms yield down 9.1% to £36.87; Liverpool occupancy dropped 0.1% to 53.2% and Birmingham occupancy fell by 3.7% to 51.7%.

Robert Barnard, partner for PKF, commented: "The snow caused a fair amount of havoc for those needing to travel over January and this worked out negatively for hoteliers in some parts of the country. On the flip side, the need for a last minute bed for those stranded by the same weather, worked out positively for other hotel owners.
 
"As we look forward to Spring so do thoughts of summer holidays and this could bode well for UK hotels in 2010. Although the country is officially out of recession, economic difficulties are still affecting many UK families and this, coupled with the weakness of the pound, could mean that many decide to holiday in the UK this year."

Related Articles:

• 02 Mar 2011 - Increases in room rates for UK hoteliers
• 22 Nov 2010 - Hoteliers post mix bag of results for October
• 29 Sep 2010 - UK hoteliers achieve healthy August, says PKF
• 25 Aug 2010 - London hoteliers achieve strong July figures
• 22 Mar 2010 - London hoteliers achieve healthy growth
• 25 Jan 2010 - Hoteliers cash in on December festivities
• 26 Oct 2009 - London hoteliers continue to fill rooms
• 28 May 2009 - Regional hotels experience fall in room rates
• 20 Apr 2009 - Further falls for UK hoteliers
• 26 Mar 2009 - Tough times predicted for UK hotel industry
• 26 Jan 2009 - UK hotel room rates continue to decline
• 16 Dec 2008 - UK hoteliers continue to feel pinch
• 10 Nov 2008 - How hoteliers can survive the market
• 24 Sep 2008 - UK hotels steady despite gloomy August
• 01 Sep 2008 - Steady growth for London hoteliers
• 28 Jul 2008 - London hotels remain steady
• 09 Jul 2008 - Hoteliers report steady growth

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