LONDON HOTEL occupancy jumped to an average of 82.9 per cent in the final quarter of last year, according to consultants Deloitte. Room rates in the capital slipped fractionally to average £133 a night.
Marvin Rust, Deloitte's hospitality managing partner, said: "Hotels in the capital have been going from strength to strength during the last three months of 2009. With sterling still weak against a basket of currencies, London seems set to continue on a fast track to recovery."
Outside London, the Christmas quarter brought little cheer for hoteliers. Occupancy levels and room rates continued to fall, and average revPAR was down to just £44. "What is most worrying about the performance in the regions is that occupancy is still falling," Rust added, "Indicating that 2010 will continue to be tough outside the capital."