As of Nov. 30, on-the-books occupancy at mountain resorts and destinations for the month of December was running 11.3 percent ahead of a year ago, according to a survey by the Mountain Travel Research Program (MTRiP), while the average daily rate, or ADR, at resorts participating in its survey was up 3.4 percent.
Whether the gains hold up remains to be seen, said Ralf Garrison, director of MTRiP.
The monthly briefing also tracks and assesses national economic indicators and their potential impact on the ski, snowboard and mountain travel industry. For the first time in several years, the five indexes closely monitored by the MTRiP staff were described as positive.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up at the end of November for the second consecutive month as investor fears eased on news that central banks agreed to lower interest rates for European countries. Consumer confidence jumped 36 percent in November and the Unemployment Rate posted its second consecutive monthly drop down to 8.6 percent although the MTRiP analysts acknowledge that despite the creation of 120,000 new jobs, seasonal positions and fewer individuals seeking employment had an influence on the declining number.
The Travel Price Index, which measures the average cost of travel related expenses, dropped for the third consecutive month-down 1.7 percent in November. Foley attributes this decline to the lower price of crude oil and fuel for air, rail and car travel. The Consumer Price Index also declined in October for only the second time since December 2009. “The decline in the cost of living is very timely as the economy moves into the critical holiday shopping season,” Foley added.