Nov. 27–Orlando hotels posted healthy statistics for October, selling more rooms at higher prices.
Hotels in the Orlando area filled 67.6 percent of their rooms during the month, compared with 65.5 percent in October 2012. The average daily rate rose 3.3 percent, to $99.63.
Michael Terry, an instructor at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, attributed the gains to an economy that’s “doing a little better.”
“Maybe people weren’t afraid to spend an extra dollar or two,” he said, noting that as the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbs, people’s pocketbooks tend to loosen up. “People are having a little bit more money.”
The positive performance was fueled in part by big occupancy gains in the East Kissimmee submarket, home to the sprawling Gaylord Palms resort. Occupancy in that market jumped by nearly 13 percentage points, while average prices increased slightly.
Jared McLachlan, director of sales and marketing for the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort, said the popularity of the Food & Wine Festival helped boost leisure business at his hotel during the month. In addition to Disney’s official event, the hotel hosts its own special activities during the annual foodie festival.
“Food & Wine really was very, very strong for the hotel in October and November,” McLachlan said. “That event just continues to increase in popularity.”
Through the first 10 months of the year, Central Florida’s hotel industry has filled 71.3 percent of its rooms, up slightly from 69.6 percent for the same period a year ago. Average rates rose 4 percent to $101.37.
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