LAYTON -- Tourists and other visitors are filling Davis County's hotels. A higher percentage of Davis County's hotel rooms than ever were filled with guests over this past summer season, the latest Rocky Mountain Lodging Report indicates. "It was a hot summer. It's looking good for Davis County, yet again," says Barbara Riddle, director of the Davis County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

"August occupancy came in at 86.1 percent compared to 80.1 percent a year ago, for a 5.5 percent growth," she said. June was even higher, at 86.2 percent.

And if year-to-date overall rates are compared, the county's occupancy rate has grown by 8.6 percent.

Davis County's hotel occupancy rates were among the highest in the state. For August, they were beat out only by the Airport and Northern Salt Lake City area and Utah County.

Other good news for hoteliers concerns how much revenue they are receiving per room, Riddle said.

"Room rates have gone up an average of $3.46," she said, through August. The average room rate was $76.58, well below the state average of $86.69, which includes high mountain resort rates.

And revenue per available room stood at $65.17, well above rates in Ogden, Cedar City, St. George or Logan, and only slightly below the state average of $69.01.

"It's climbing," Riddle added of the overall picture. Reflective of the growth in hotel nights is the announcement, made recently in the Clipper, that the Hilton Garden Inn will expand by 40 rooms.

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com