Hotel Occupancy, Rates Rise in April

Los Angeles County saw strong hotel occupancy and sizable growth in average hotel prices in April driven largely by an increase in conventioneers and other business travelers to the area, tourism officials said. Events at the Los Angeles Convention Center in April generated more than 52,000 overnight stays at area hotels, a 136% jump over the previous April, which saw about 22,000 nights of hotel business generated by convention-related activities, said Michael Collins, executive vice president of the Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau. Increased convention business and a jump in spring break travel also helped bolster April hotel business in Orange County, officials there said. In Los Angeles County, average hotel occupancy rose to 76% from 72%, and the average price per room grew 6% to reach $123.18, according to statistics released by PKF Consulting in Los Angeles. “The numbers seem to indicate there is demand for this part of the world,” Collins said. PKF also reported that April occupancy rates in Orange County, which last year saw a falloff in tourism because of extensive construction in and around Disneyland, increased to 77% from 72%. The average room price rose to $107.43. “Anaheim is kind of being rediscovered,” said Charles Ahlers, president of the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau.