BDO LLP blamed the lack of a major sporting event in the nation’s capital for the drop in occupancy of rooms in May, as last year numbers were boosted by the Champions League final in Wembley that same month.
Regions take the lead
In London, the average room yield for hotels was £97.89, up 2.1 per cent from the year before. However, occupancy rates fell by 1.9 per cent. On the other hand, regional hotels saw an increased average room yield to £45.42, an 8.9 per cent rise, and occupancy also rose by 0.5 per cent.
BDO LLP partner Robert Barnard said: “After a strong start to the year in both London and the regions, we have seen the regions pull ahead in the last month. Two bank holidays have certainly had an impact as holidaymakers escape to the country for the long weekends, but the real deciding factor for the capital has been the absence of a major sporting event.
“The UEFA Champions League Final hosted at Wembley in May 2013 saw an influx of tourists from the continent, while the past month has been relatively quiet in comparison with the build up to the World Cup. It remains to be seen how this major international tournament will impact the UK hotel sector.”
BDO’s survey took in a number of hotels throughout the country, mostly in the 3 to 4 star range, and hotels in London in the 3 to 5 star range.
Preliminary hotel data for May 2014
