Occupancy numbers point to flat hotel business

The latest hotel occupancy figures show just how flat business has been this year in Utah's lodging industry.

Through the first 11 months of 2013, occupancy levels at hotels statewide was 65.8 percent, a smidgen better than the 65.7 percent rate recorded a year earlier. The figures were just as close In Salt Lake County, home to the largest number of hotel rooms: 72.2 percent filled nightly this year compared to 72.9 percent in 2012.

The Rocky Mountain Lodging Report, which tracks the numbers from its Denver offices, did note that average room rates were up this year almost $3-4 more per night. The average rate statewide was about $100 a night.

Utah ski resort communities attracted fewer guests in the first 11 months of 2013, when occupancy levels dipped to 49.7 percent from 51.1 percent between January and November, 2012.

Nightly charges at resorts were up, however, to roughly $176. That is $10 a night more than a year earlier.

mikeg@sltrib.com