O.C. Hotel Occupancy Rate for November Declines

Orange County hotels filled an average of 56.6% of their rooms in November, down from 59.9% in November, 1989, according to a recent report by the accounting firm Pannell Kerr Forster in Irvine.

Average room rates increased 1.9% to $71.67 in November, up from $70.32 a year earlier.

“I think it’s a pretty obvious concern relative to the economy,” Rick Schwartz, the firm’s manager of consulting, said Monday. “It will be curious to see what (December figures) look like.”

Hotels in the Anaheim and South Orange County areas, which attract tourists visiting Disneyland and the beaches, experienced the biggest drop in occupancy in November. Rates at Anaheim-area hotels declined to 56.7% from 61.8% a year earlier. In South County, the average rate dropped to 48.5% from 53%.

Hotels in North County and around John Wayne Airport fared better. Occupancy in North County hotels rose to 50.9% from 48.9% a year earlier, while the airport area declined to 58.9% from 60.8%.

One hopeful sign, Schwartz said, was the increased room rates, which should help counter the flat occupancy rates. November is a traditionally slow month for the industry because many business and pleasure travelers stay home for the holidays.

“But there is a real fear the lodging industry will fall off because of the economy. We’re keeping tabs on that,” Schwartz said.