Hotel revenues rise

FORT MYERS — Buoyed by increased numbers of tourists, revenues at hotels in Lee County rose as lodging owners boosted their rates in June compared with the same month a year ago.

However, the outlook for future bookings isn't as strong as it was in the same month last year, according to a survey of lodging operators by the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau.

Hoteliers reported revenue per available room, an important financial metric that is a function of occupancy and rate, rose 7.2% to $69.88 in June compared with June 2011, according to the bureau.

The average daily rate at Lee County hotels in June was $125.12, a 4.5% increase from June 2011. The average occupancy rate rose 2.6% to 55.8% in June.

However, a survey of property managers' optimism about future bookings was more tempered in June than it was in the same month one year ago. While 36% say their bookings are up through September, 45% claimed the same in June 2011. More than a quarter (29%) say reservations are down through September compared with 17% saying the same in June 2011.

Click here to read a recent story about the outlook for European tourism on the Gulf Coast.