Hotel revenues rise

NAPLES — Revenue per available room at hotels in Collier County rose 7.3% in July compared with the same month last year, but more hoteliers reported reservations are down for the next three months.

Revenue per available room, an important financial gauge of the hospitality industry that is a function of average daily rate and occupancy, rose 7.3% in July to $76.60, according to data from the Naples, Marco, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Occupancy in July at Collier hotels rose 4.1% to 66.3%, and the average daily rate climbed 3% to $115.50 compared with the same month in 2011. July saw a jump in visitors from Europe (up 9.5%) and the Southeast (up 7.4%) compared with July 2011.

In the survey, 29% of hoteliers say reservations are up in August through September, while 32% report they're down and the remainder says they're flat.