City hotel occupancy down in 2013

5 February 2014 02:47 am Views - 10092

The average city hotel occupancy rate during the year 2013 stood at 65 percent, down from 70 percent in 2012, despite an increase in tourist arrivals, Colombo City Hotels Association Chairman M. Shanthikumar said.

Sri Lanka’s tourism exceeded the target of 1.25 million tourists in 2013 after statistical counting methods were revised.

Speaking to Mirror Business, Shanthikumar cited the economic recession as a possible reason for the drop in occupancy rates on a Year-on-Year basis.

“Even though there was a slight drop in the tourist occupancy rates at the five star city hotels in Colombo, I must note that the occupancy rates of other small scale hotels gradually increased during the year,” he revealed.

Shanthikumar also brushed off rumours that the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in November was a reason for a further drop in occupancy rates, as it lasted only for a few days.

However, it is believed that the occupancy rates were significantly down during the summit due to the five star hotels being unable to serve nonresident clients.