Lee hotel revenues rise

FORT MYERS — Revenues at hotels in Lee County rose 10.3% in January to $80.53 per available room compared with the same month one year ago, according to the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau.

Revenue per available room, an important gauge of a hotel's financial health, is a function of average daily rate and occupancy. January's increase in Lee County is a reflection of stronger occupancies and a modest rate increase.

Occupancy at hotels in Lee County hotels rose to 61.5% in January, a 7.5% increase over January 2011. The average daily rate rose to $131.03, a 2.6% increase over the same month a year ago.

Hoteliers' projections for the remainder of the tourism season are upbeat. A survey indicates that two out of three hotel managers in Lee County reported their reservations are up in February, March and April over the same period last year.