Uk hotels see May bounce

UK hotels experienced a healthy recovery in May, according to PKF Hotel Consultancy Services, with Birmingham achieving an almost 50% rise in room rates to £87.07.

The city saw a 47.4% in room rate as well as an 8.7% rise in occupancy from 66.1% to 72%.

Measured compared to May 2009 figures, London saw more modest room rate rises of 8.9%, from £110.64 to £120.45. Its occupancy was 3.3% up from 81.3% to 84%. This meant yield was up 12.4% from £89.97 to £101.15.

In Manchester, the figures were a little tighter. Room rate was up 0.7% to £75.02, occupancy was up 5.4% to 78.4% and rooms yield was up 6.1% to £58.79. In Leeds, room rate was down 0.3% to £63.03, occupancy was up 4.4% and rooms yield was up 4.1% to £44.38.

Cardiff, however, fared less well. Room rate fell 4.4% to £62.17 and occupancy also fell 4.4% to 70.5%. Room yield was down 8.7% to £43.82.

Partner for Hotel Consultancy Services at PKF Robert Barnard said: “May can often be a tricky month for hoteliers as it is bookmarked by two bank holiday weekends.

"Overall, the figures show that there seems to have been minimum disruption. This is particularly heartening following the disruption caused by the ash cloud in April.

“Moving into the summer months, we will hopefully see this momentum maintained, especially if the expectation that many will holiday in the UK this year comes to fruition.”

by Dinah Hatch