July 21–Central Florida’s hotel occupancy rates were almost flat in June, rising from 75 percent last year to 75.4 percent this year.

The industry posted stronger growth, however, in two key measures, according to data from travel research firm STR.

The average daily room rate for Orlando-area hotels climbed from about $102 per night last June to $107 this year — an increase of 5 percent. Likewise, revenue per available room rose from $76.42 last year to $80.63 this year — up more than 5 percent.

Revenue per available room is an industry measure that considers both occupancy rates and prices.

Duncan Dickson, a professor at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, said the increases indicate that “guests are spending more” at each property.

“Overall,” said Dickson, the industry “should be happy with the June numbers.”

STR found that hotels in the Lake Buena Vista area, near Walt Disney World, posted the best numbers. June occupancy rates in that area were 83.7 percent, up from about 80 percent last year.

Those hotels also had the highest average daily rates, at $121.29, and revenue per available room, at $101.51.

Hotels near International Drive recorded an average occupancy rate of 76.9 percent, down slightly from last year. Room rates, however, rose to $117.57 per night and revenue per available room inched up from $89.11 to $90.40.

Hotels in east Kissimmee turned in the worst performance for June. The occupancy rate fell from 68.1 percent to 64.7 percent — a “worrisome” development, according to Dickson.

Even those hotels were able to raise prices, however. The average daily room rate jumped more than 11 percent, from $75.31 per night to $83.91. Revenue per available room grew almost 6 percent, rising from $51.31 to $54.26.

The first half of 2014 has been kind to Central Florida’s hotel industry, with properties routinely reporting year-over-year gains. Through the first six months of the year, occupancy rates for the region were running at 76.9 percent, compared with 73.9 percent for the first half of 2013.

Average room rates during that time were up 5.6 percent and revenue per available room was up almost 10 percent.

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