Hotels in Europe enjoyed generally good result in the first quarter of 2005 according to Paris-based consultants MKG.
Denmark and Sweden both had sharp rises in their revenue per available room (Rev PAR) of, respectively, 20.2% and 16.4%.
Austria (8.2%) and the UK (5.9%) also had significant rises. Only Spain (-4.5%) and Italy (-0.5%) saw their rev Par drop.
All countries of Western Europe, except Italy, saw their occupancy rates rise with the UK leading the way with a figure of 73.1%. France, Spain, the Netherlands and Austria were all in the high 60s.
MKG said the findings confirmed the recovery of the European hotel industry.
It said the sustained economic recovery in the United States had led to more American travellers to Europe and there had also been an increase in visitors from Asia.
But countries in the Euro zone had continued to be hit by the high exchange rate with the US dollar.
MKG said that France had had a “very good month” in June, especially in Paris and in the 4-star market.
The UK, which began its recovery earlier than continental countries, was still in the lead, said MKG with a rising rev Par and a high occupancy.
But it warned: “After an already exceptional year in 2004, with growth in average daily rates at 6.4% over the year, the margin available for increasing room rates could nonetheless shrink in the coming months as these have already attained high levels of nearly 120.”
The recovery in the Benelux countries where hoteliers were ready to put up prices at times of high demand from business travellers, was also gaining ground.
In Germany, reliant on trade fairs and exhibitions, the market fluctuated wildly with hoteliers seeing a rev PAR rise of 22.5% in April and a fall of 17.1% in May.