Andersen has released preliminary 2001 results for the UK and London that show UK hoteliers have reacted swiftly to changing market conditions.
Nick van Marken, the Andersen partner who leads the hospitality consulting practice in Europe, comments that the UK hotel industry has confounded many observers by turning in a very creditable performance.
“Despite the impact of a challenging domestic and international economic environment; a relatively strong sterling exchange rate compared to the US Dollar and Euro; the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease and the atrocities of September 11, UK hoteliers have reacted swiftly to changed market conditions.”
Mr van Marken added: “Whilst London hotels suffered an overall 12 percent fall in revPAR during 2001, this was largely the result of the dramatic revPAR declines of September (22 percent), October (35 percent) and November (27 percent). The decline of 21 percent in December represents a slowing in the rate of year-on-year decline. Hotels serving Heathrow and Gatwick airports have also suffered as a result of slowing international passenger traffic. At Heathrow, the annual occupancy of 76 percent was six percent below last year, whilst at Gatwick, the fall in occupancy was limited to three percent”.
2001 annual hotel performance
|
Occupancy % |
Average room rate |
RevPAR |
RevPAR change |
|
|
UK – All Hotels |
71 |
74 |
52 |
-4.2% |
|
UK – Regional Hotels |
70 |
61 |
43 |
1.3% |
|
England (excl. London) |
70 |
62 |
43 |
0.8% |
|
Scotland |
70 |
57 |
40 |
1.6% |
|
Wales |
68 |
58 |
39 |
15.8% |
|
London |
73 |
107 |
78 |
-12.1% |
|
Gatwick |
83 |
67 |
55 |
-4.0% |
|
Heathrow |
76 |
77 |
58 |
-8.1% |
Source: Andersen Hotel Industry Benchmark Survey (all analysis in UK pounds)
London hoteliers continued to experience tough trading conditions, although – as forecast by Andersen in September – the rate of decline has continued to slow in December.
“We are hopeful
