April 19--The tourism industry in Colorado Springs is off to a slow start this year. Hotel occupancy declined in March for a second consecutive month to 52.9 percent from 54.1 percent a year earlier, according to the Rocky Mountain Lodging Report. The average room rate also fell for a second consecutive month, declining 1.2 percent to $81.42. So far this year, local hotel occupancy is down to 49.1 percent from 50.4 percent a year ago, through the average room rate is up 0.8 percent to $83.26.

Occupancy in hotels statewide edged lower in March to 61.8 percent from 62.2 percent a year earlier. The state's average room rate rose 2.7 percent during the same period to $140.65. Statewide, hotel occupancy in the first three months of the year is up to 58.8 percent from 57.5 percent a year ago, while the average room rate is up 4.2 percent during the same period to $140.98.

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