Orlando hotel occupancy continues decline

Leah Zanolla | Posted: Sep 26, 2008 | Updated: Oct 19, 2014 - 9:25:27 AM

The latest occupancy numbers released for Orlando area hotels show a continuing decline.

The most recent survey shows a 2.6 decline in comparison to August of 2007 at Orlando hotels which reported having a 63.6 occupancy rate. Room rates have dropped 1.6 percent to an average $89.18 nightly fee.

The Kissimmee west area was hardest hit with a 15.9 percent drop in hotel occupancy, with the southern Orlando area's 12.1 percent decrease close behind.

When surveying the different demographics, it was found that the economy hotels lowered their rates an average 6.6 percent.

The national revenue per available room, which measures the occupancy/room rates combined, was down 0.8 percent in comparison to Orlando's 4.1 percent for the same period.

Among those hardest hit are the hotels that attract business travelers, including flight crews. With the airlines cutting back on Orlando flights, these numbers are expected to continue to spiral downward.

Increasingly, Orlando hotels are using the Internet and reaching out to tour operators to attract visitors.

Disney has a long standing policy of not revealing their occupancy levels.