Hotels in Europe hiked prices 4.2 per cent in December to €145.26, according to the latest HotStats poll.
The rate rise was accompanied by a 0.4 per cent increase in room occupancy to 59.8 per cent, as hotels across the region recorded increases in average rate across a number of segments, including residential conference (3.8 per cent), corporate (9.4 per cent) and individual leisure (6.7 per cent).
In Paris, room rates remain among the highest in Europe, reaching €350.66 in December, further to a 5.1 per cent year-on-year increase. Hotels in the French capital have also seen a 6.4 per cent uplift in room occupancy to 63.5 per cent.
Pablo Alonso, CEO of HotStats, said: “Following a short period of uncertainty after the terrorist attacks in November 2015, Paris has reclaimed its position as a global hub, illustrated by the buzz in the French capital this month. This was not only due to the visitation of more than 50 world leaders for the One Planet Climate Summit, but also due to the recovery in the leisure segment, with Paris re-establishing its profile as an extremely popular Christmas destination.”
Hotels in Rome recorded a 7.8 per cent increase in achieved average room rate in December, to €193.72, which was accompanied by a 7.3-percentage point decline in room occupancy to a lowly 46.1 per cent.
“The Rome hotel market is heavily reliant on the leisure segment, which typically falls away during December, which always leaves revenue levels floundering. However, owners and operators in the Italian capital will be disappointed that rising costs have almost entirely wiped out profit levels this month,” added Alonso.
