The latest lodging occupancy reports were recently published by DestiMetrics, and to no surprise show little-to-no growth in winter lodging occupancies. Lodging rates did increase for the winter season, and resulting lodging sales tax collections should be slightly up over last year. An early Easter holiday compressed key spring break and international visitation, and Vail Mountain’s extended season should have some benefits to driving last-minute traffic to the lodging community and resulting retail and restaurant activities.

Looking ahead, “on the books” reservations for the spring and summer (data available through September) are very strong with pacing increases ranging from +13% to +23% throughout the valley and an average increase of +17%. Business looks strong throughout the summer season, with every month pacing ahead of last year and mid-week business pacing up for the most part throughout the summer. Group business is strong (both on-the-books group programs, as well as lead generation and future business pipeline), and Epic Discovery’s launch this summer on Vail Mountain should have positive impacts as well. Enplanements to the Eagle County Regional Airport continue a downward trend, but summer service from Houston, Dallas, and Denver continues this season and new service from Los Angeles starts in June. On a national level, consumer confidence is slightly up and the index of leading economic indicators is trending slightly positive.

Links of Interest:

• Eagle County Economic Indicators
• Ski Resorts eye summers for business growth in Aspen, elsewhere
• There’s room for growth in lifestyle, boutique segments
• Utah Travel & Tourism Roundtable
• Big Sky works toward affordable housing for year-round employees
• Fly Vail

Data compiled by DestiMetrics