Hotels in Bristol experienced double digit growth in June compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by Bristol-based accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP.
The firm’s hotel survey found that Bristol rooms yield (the industry term for revenue) rose by 10.3% during June, compared to an average increase of 2.8% in regional UK.
However, hotels in both Bath and Swindon witnessed revenues fall by 0.2% and 2.2% respectively. In Swindon’s case this is despite occupancy levels rising consecutively during the last three months to 70.0%, proving that downward pricing pressures have continued.
Bristol hoteliers have experienced an even bigger increase in room occupancy (6.7%) during the same period, now up to 78.0%. However, Bath hoteliers reported contrasting fortunes, with daily room occupancy falling by 1.4% during June.
Neil Dimes, Partner at BDO’s Bristol office, comments: “Despite a challenging 12 months, the industry has made good progress in Q2 2013. Month-on-month, hotels in Bristol, Bath and Swindon have seen occupancy and yields improve since the end of Q1.
“The increase in occupancy in Swindon could be attributed to heavy discounting of room prices, which dropped by 2.4% to £47.30, lower than any other South West city. However, Bristol hotels have continued to demand higher prices for rooms – up 3.4% and at a three month high.
“June was also the busiest month for Bristol Airport for five years with more than 625,000 passengers, which has evidently had a positive impact on the hotel sector’s performance.”
