Hotels in Chester have fared the best in the region for the “Olympic effect”. New research has shown that the Olympic fever failed to reach the North West as the region experienced stagnant occupancy rates compared with the same dates in 2011.
PKF Hotel Consultancy Services found that Chester had a 2.4% increase in occupancy levels and a 2.1% increase in room rates, but the number of visitors for Manchester and Liverpool were down from last year.
2% fewer customers visited Manchester but there was an improvement in profits due to higher room rates. Although there was a 2.1% reduction in occupancy across Liverpool, room yield increased by 1.5% to £42.20 as hotels charged 3.7% more for rooms.
PKF partner Mark Sykes said: “Many hoteliers were dubious about the projected impact of the Olympics on regional visitor figures, and these results support the sceptics’ view as occupancy rates have dropped overall compared with last year.”