Actual occupancy at the 265 western mountain resort properties monitored by Mountain Travel Research Program (MTRiP) was up 7.9 percent last month compared to March 2010, while reservations for the April through September period were running 3.1 percent ahead of last year as of March 31.
Occupancy varied significantly between the properties MTRiP monitors, which manage 24,000 rooms in Colorado, Utah, California, and Oregon. Those in the eastern, central and Rocky Mountain destinations generally were running ahead of last year, while results from the far west and Canada were generally softer.
“A slowly improving economy and excellent snow conditions across much of the country made a significant contribution to the uptick in business for mountain lodging properties,” said Ralf Garrison, director of MTRiP.
MTRiP now forecasts lodging occupancy at the properties it monitors in 15 mountain destination communities will be up six percent for the November through April season compared to the same period in 2009-10. MTRiP is projecting the average daily lodging rate rose one percent during the period.
How much that momentum carries over into this spring and summer, remains to be seen. As of March 31, bookings for April 2011 were down 4.2 percent compared to April 2010, while bookings for the next six months (April-September) are slightly better-currently up 3.1 percent. The report also noted that the average daily rate for the next six months is currently down 3.5 percent.
Garrison predicted resorts would counter rising gas prices by targeting closer regional drive markets.
