Western mountain resorts are headed into the fourth quarter with strong reservation gains over the same period a year ago, according to the latest survey data from the Mountain Travel Research Program (MTRiP).
Actual occupancy for August was up 5.4 percent compared to August 2011, according to MTRiP’s data, which is derived from a sample of approximately 260 property management companies in 16 mountain destination communities, representing 24,000 rooms across Colorado, Utah, California and Oregon.
That trend is expected to continue this month with on-the-books occupancy up five percent as of Aug. 31. This marks the fifth consecutive increase in monthly occupancy among destinations participating in the MTRiP survey.
“This summer’s destination reservation activity is a continuation of a multi-year trend of ever-increasing occupancies in most mountain destinations,” explained Ralf Garrison, director of MTRiP. “And when we look back at the past six months, we saw increased occupancy in every month but March and April with increases in rate in all six months: good news for our mountain destinations.”
Based on MTRiP data collected through Aug. 31, year-over-year occupancy for the next six months from September through February 2013 is up 5.6 percent compared to the same period last year with every month showing increases except December. ADR is also down very slightly-0.3 percent for the period.
While ultimate occupancy will hinge on snowfall and ski conditions, the numbers indicate consumers are planning to spend on ski and snowboard excursions should weather conditions permit.
