Jan. 31–By all key metrics used to measure a hotel's success, Orlando had a good 2015.

"I think we can say that all aspects of the tourism industry were running strong," said Richard Maladecki, president and chief executive officer of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association.

In year-over-year metrics, Central Florida's hotels recorded an average increase in occupancy, average daily room rates and revenue per available room, according to STR, Inc., which tracks the global hotel industry.

Occupancy averaged 77 percent, 3 percent above 2014's average, in the Orlando market — which STR defines as stretching from Kissimmee to Sanford. That's well above the U.S. average of 65.6 percent, a 1.7 percent increase.

Average room rates in Orlando increased $5.18, to $112. Revenue per room, or RevPAR, increased $7.22, to $86.19, according to STR figures.

Orlando's numbers are directly reflective of a high confidence level among hoteliers, who only typically charge a rate they know travelers will pay, said Scott Smith, tourism professor at the University of South Carolina. RevPAR increases are the result in rates increasing, he said.

"Hoteliers are comfortable enough to push higher rates," he said.

The combination of an increase in occupancy, despite rate increases, means travelers were comfortable spending the money, an indicator of a recovering industry.

Outpacing national growth

This is the fifth consecutive year metric averages increased across the board in Metro Orlando. It reflects a strong 2015 nationally.

"This past year was the strongest on record for the U.S. hotel industry," said Amanda Hite, STR's president and chief operating officer. "With the number of rooms sold nearing 1.2 billion, all-time highs were recorded across the key performance indicators."

Overall, the U.S. hotel industry's average daily rates rose 4.4 percent to $120.01, and revenue per room was $78.67, an increase of 6.3 percent.

Among top-25 U.S. markets, which Orlando holds rank in, the Tampa-St. Petersburg market reported the largest annual increase in occupancy at 5.6 percent. But Orlando's occupancy rate trumped Tampa's.

Strength to overcome setbacks

Marco Manzie, president of Orlando-based Paramount Hospitality Management, said his three resorts ended 2015 with increased metrics across the board. Paramount manages Point Orlando Resort, the Avanti Resort and Floridays Resort Orlando. Manzie said RevPAR at the three properties was up 5.8 percent over 2014.

Even a fire at Avanti in July did nothing to slow traffic at the International Drive property, which posted record numbers.

"Financially, it did extremely well," he said. "Despite the incident of the fire."

Maladecki said Orlando did so well because the area's whole tourism industry had a strong 2015.

About 62 million visitors came to Orlando in 2014 and although 2015 figures have not been released, Maladecki expects last year's tally to be closer to 63 million.

He said new destinations, attractions and conventions are entering the market, keeping interest in Orlando high among leisure and business travelers.

Post-recession surge

Compared to 2010, Orlando occupancy rates have increased 13 percent, room rates have spiked $21.28 and RevPAR has increase $28.15.

Orlando is also seeing the ripple effect of a recovering economy, which relatively bottomed out between 2007 and 2008. Maladecki said pent-up demand for leisure travel helped drive 2015's increases.

Smith said Central Florida relies on both leisure and business travelers, but traditional tourists are more likely to cut trips when money's tight.

"It's good news across the board," he said. "Hoteliers like stability."

Occupancy numbers could soon dip, or at least stabilize. About 3,000 new rooms will enter Central Florida's hotel inventory this year, Maladecki said. Construction will begin on others, including Paramount's Uniq, which is scheduled to open in 2017 on I-Drive with 357 rooms.

Manzie said with little new inventory added to Central Florida's market during 2015, increased metrics of late show hoteliers' faith that consumers will pay higher room rates.

"As long as the American dollar has good value to it, we're in good shape here," said Manzie.

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