LAYTON -- The hotels may not have been quite full enough for a record.

But the rates being paid have gone up significantly, bringing more money to the hoteliers' coffers.

That's the word from the Rocky Mountain Lodging Report, said Barbara Riddle, CEO of the Davis Convention & Visitors Bureau, here.

"Occupancy is down slightly, but our average daily rate has gone up significantly," she said.

Average occupancy in June was 80.5 percent. That's down from the same month a year ago, when it stood at 86.2 percent.

"That's a great occupancy," she says of last month's total. "Last year, they were still in the process of remodeling some of the housing on base," she said, which added some numbers that normally wouldn't be staying in area hotels.

But the average amount paid per room per night, or average daily rate, increased by 14.5 percent year over year. It went from $70.62 in June of 2006 to $85.15.

"That more than made up for the difference" in occupancy, Riddle said.

"It's combined efforts" that make the county's hotel picture look so rosy, she said. "It's hard. There is so much being done to promote this area right now.

"The CVB is doing a lot to promote it, as well as with meetings and conventions. The hotels are avidly trying to sell packages. There are great golf and Lagoon packages.

"In the near future we should have balloon festival packages," Riddle said. That's referring to the Antelope Island Balloon Stampede coming in late September.

"It's a culmination of everybody working together to promote the area," she said.

Davis County appears to be faring ever-better against its competition in other parts of the state.

It came in only slightly below the occupancy rates in both Salt Lake and Utah counties, which were at about 82 percent. Logan was at 81.8 percent. Those below Davis County were Cedar City at 76 percent, Ogden at 74.7 percent, and St. George at 69.8 percent.

As far as average daily rates, it's hard to ever beat the premium-commanding Mountain Resorts of Park City area, which had a $117.43 rate last month.

As was previously reported in the Clipper, many Davis County hotels have undertaken extensive remodeling and other efforts. Officials with the hotels say it's all part of doing business.

Those efforts have included everything from changing over mattresses and other furnishings, in one case in a hotel not open even three years, to new decor in rooms and public areas in another that is only seven years old.



tbusselberg@davisclipper.com