Lee hotel revenues jump

FORT MYERS — Hotel revenues at Lee County hotels rose 19% in December compared with the same month in 2012, driven by significantly higher occupancies.

Revenue per available room, an important financial gauge that combines occupancy and average daily rate, rose to $72.03 in December, up from $60.43 in December 2012, according to data from Smith Travel posted by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau.

The occupancy rate in December was 58.5%, a steep increase from the 50.7% in the same month in 2012. Hoteliers still held rates down to fill rooms, however. The average daily rate rose a more modest 3.4% to $123.17 over the same period.