Hotels in Southampton reported a subdued performance in March, according to preliminary hotel figures released by business and advisory accountancy firm BDO LLP [data previously compiled by PKF Accountants & business advisers, which merged with BDO LLP at the end of March 2013].
Southampton hoteliers saw a 0.6% drop in room rate to £51.52, compared with £51.84 in March 2012, and a 3.1% decline in occupancy from 69.5% to 67.4%, which resulted in a room yield reduction of 3.7% from £36.04 to £34.72.
In Portsmouth, by contrast, although hotels saw the price paid for hotel rooms drop 1.5% to £63.14, occupancy levels rose from 74.1% to 75.5% and room yields increased 0.4% from £46.48 to £46.67 across Portsmouth.
London’s hotels also face a difficult time as rooms yield declined by 5.4% from £101.83 to £96.32, with a drop of room rates by 4.5% to £122.53, compared with £128.30 a year ago and a reduction in occupancy from 79.3% to 78.6%.
Chris Driver, Audit Director at BDO LLP commented: “This is the fifth consecutive month in which regional hotels have outperformed their London counterparts, which is the opposite of what we have seen for much of the past few years.
“It has been a tough market for many hoteliers in Southampton but as we enter the bank holiday season, we should hopefully see improved visitor numbers across the south coast to enjoy some sunshine and long weekends away.”
