Continued Recovery in Hotel Room Demand Supports Expected Gains in US Revenue Per Available Room in 2012 & 2013, Says PwC US Report

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Jun 04, 2012, 09:00 ET

NEW YORK, June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite economic risks associated with a recovery and the European sovereign debt crisis, an updated lodging forecast released today by PwC US anticipates revenue per available room ("RevPAR") recovery in 2012 to remain intact, with stronger price gains anticipated in 2013. As the US economy has inched forward in 2012, travel activity in the US has continued its robust recovery. Business and leisure travel posted solid gains in the first four months of 2012, and even the group segment - one of the hardest hit areas of the lodging sector - experienced an uptick in demand and bookings. As a result of continued recovery in demand, US RevPAR is expected to increase by 6.5 percent in 2012 and 5.6 percent in 2013, building on the strong 8.2 percent increase in 2011.

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PwC's updated estimates are based on a quarterly econometric analysis of the lodging sector using historical statistics supplied by Smith Travel Research and other data providers, and an updated macroeconomic forecast released in May from Macroeconomic Advisers, LLC, which expects moderate economic growth in 2012, followed by acceleration in the second half of 2013. Macroeconomic Advisers' outlook expects real gross domestic product ("GDP") to increase 2.5 percent in 2012, followed by an increase of 3.1 percent in 2013, measured on a fourth quarter over fourth quarter basis.

According to PwC, the outlook for RevPAR recovery reflects continued momentum in business travel, including gains in corporate meetings, as well as leisure travel growth that includes greater volumes of international visitors. As a result, lodging demand in 2012 is expected to increase 2.5 percent, which combined with still restrained supply growth of 0.4 percent, is expected to boost occupancy levels to 61.3 percent, the highest since 2007. Hotels across the spectrum of price segments experienced average daily rate ("ADR") gains in the first quarter, reflecting the breadth of the industry recovery. Looking ahead, increased confidence from occupancy gains is expected to allow hotels to raise room rates, particularly in the higher-priced segments of the industry. As a result, ADR is expected to increase by 4.3 percent in 2012 and 4.8 percent in 2013.

	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
Occupancy	59.0%	59.2%	61.3%	63.0%	63.1%	62.8%	59.8%	54.6%	57.5%	60.0%	61.3%	61.7%
ADR Growth	-1.3%	0.2%	4.3%	5.6%	7.4%	6.6%	3.0%	-8.7%	0.0%	3.7%	4.3%	4.8%
RevPAR Growth	-2.4%	0.4%	8.0%	8.6%	7.7%	6.1%	-2.0%	-16.7%	5.4%	8.2%	6.5%	5.6%

Source: PwC and Smith Travel Research.

"A sense of momentum is evident, confirming our expectations for continued RevPAR growth," said Scott D. Berman, principal and U.S. industry leader, hospitality & leisure, PwC. "With the steepest portion of the demand recovery behind us, and occupancy rates returning to more normal levels, hotel operators are focusing on opportunities to win and serve customers, while resetting room rates."

A full copy of PwC's US Lodging Forecast can be accessed by visiting: http://www.pwc.com/us/en/asset-management/hospitality-leisure/publications/index.jhtml

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