Hotel occupancies rise - 2005-10-27

Hawaii hotels saw a 3-percentage-point increase in occupancy rates, to 80.5 percent, during the week of Oct. 16, compared with the same time period in 2004.

Average room rates rose 10.6 percent to $160.68 for the week, according to a report by Smith Travel Research and Hospitality Advisors LLC.
The report surveyed 99 properties representing 38,570 rooms, or 60 percent of the state's total hotel rooms for properties with 20 units or more.

Oahu, Maui and the Big Island saw their rates go up 11.6 percent, 13.3 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively. Kauai's room-rate increase was 1.6 percent to $181.59.

During the week, the occupancy rates on Kauai declined 6.8 percentage points to 78.3 percent, similar to the 78 percent occupancy rate on Maui.

Oahu hotels had the highest occupancy -- 85 percent.

Meanwhile, the Big Island saw the highest increase in occupancy rates -- 9.4 percentage points -- to 72.5 percent.

Hawaii once again beat the average U.S. occupancy rate of 70.6 percent and other tourist destinations such as Los Angeles (83.5 percent), Orlando (72.7 percent) and San Diego (73.7 percent).

Room rates in these markets went up but didn't match Hawaii rates.

The average U.S. room rate is $94.72. Other averages: Los Angeles, $107.46; Orlando, $103.59; and San Diego, $120.70.