Lee hotel rates cross $200

FORT MYERS — The average daily rate at lodgings in Lee County reached nearly $204 in March, a 9% increase over the same month last year that crossed the $200 price threshold.

Combined with an occupancy rate that hit 88.3%, 2.4 percentage points higher than last year, revenues per available room rose 12% to $180.11 in March compared with March 2013, according to Smith Travel data reported by the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau. A function of occupancy and average daily rate, revenue per available room is an important financial gauge in the hotel industry.

Following the recession hoteliers were reluctant to raise rates for fear of losing occupancy to price-conscious customers. While tourists continue to be careful about spending, the data from Smith Travel indicates that hoteliers were able to boost rates in the spring without sacrificing occupancy.

Hoteliers benefited from increased tourism traffic to the region. For example, Southwest Florida International Airport reported its busiest month in March in its 30-year history with 1,147,059 passengers.