Summer riots in London hit the UK capital’s hotel occupancy levels, consultants PKF said today (September 19).
Levels were down 3.2% in August compared with the same month last year.
It was the first fall in the capital since February.
But the consultants said London hoteliers enjoyed a 9.5% rise in room rate which meant that room yield rose by 5.9% to £101.66 compared with August last year.
Regional hotels also had a strong month with a 2.4% rise in ocupancy and a 2.5% increase in roomrate. This led to a 4.9% growth in room yield to £51.82 compared with last year.
The best performing cities were Manchester and Edinburgh which posted year-on-year increases of 8.8% and 10.5% respectively in room yield.
Robert Barnard, a partner at PKF, said: “The riots appear to have had a negative impact on London hotels as visitors decided to stay away or shorten their breaks in the capital.
“Although occupancy remained above the important 80% benchmark, the decline in guest numbers bucks the trend seen earlier in the year and only skilful revenue management enabled hoteliers to avoid a drop in yields during their peak season.
“With London now projecting a much more positive image again, we are optimistic that the challenges have been short term in nature and that normal service will be resumed in September."