That’s even with the economic downturn having had an impact earlier in the year, says Barbara Riddle, CEO of the Davis County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Figures from the Rocky Mountain Lodging Report show December, 2008 ending at 44.5 occupancy, up from 41.9 percent occupancy the year before.
That also put the entire year of 2008 slightly above 2007, which ended at 67.1 percent occupancy. Last year, meanwhile, ended at 67.4 percent.
While the Davis County rate was up three-tenths of a percentage point, the state’s figure was down by 4.69 percent, at 63.69 percent.
Room night occupancies were also down in Salt Lake City, Ogden and the state overall. The percentage of hotel rooms occupied in St. George fell from 62.7 percent in 2007 to 53.4 percent last year, for the most dramatic drop.
As far as average room rate, Davis County hotels saw a hike from $78.11 in 2007 to $83.93. That increase was also noted in the statewide total, which grew from $94.97 in 2007 to $99.38 last year.
Riddle said December’s hike in hotel stays could be due to a combination of factors, including a strong start to the ski season, thanks to lots of snow falling on the resorts.
“The hotels have been working incredibly hard to keep occupancies up. They’ve put the time in” to make that happen, she said.
June of 2008, on the other hand, saw a big dip from the previous year: 75 percent compared to 80.5 percent. That had to do largely with the fact a number of big conventions didn’t come to the area this year.
That was coupled with rainy, cool weather that hurt such destination spots as Lagoon – which draws more visitors than any in the county. In fact, it traditionally ranks fifth in most visited spots in the state. By comparison, Antelope Island ranks 20th in the state in terms of visitors, and continues to see a steady increase in visitors, including many from abroad.
The CVB is a non-profit entity associated with the Utah Travel Council. It is funded by the Davis County Commission, using transient room taxes received from hotel room receipts, as well as those from restaurant sales and car rental fees.
It works to book conventions and other events, drawing business to the county’s hotels, as well as to restaurants, the Davis Conference Center, Davis Events Center, South Davis Recreation Center, other conference and reception facilities, as well as to Lagoon, Antelope Island and other venues.
For more information, call 774-8200 or visit the Web at www.davisareacvb.com/
tbusselberg@davisclipper.com
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