Previous Story
Hotel occupancy at 85 percent in December 2014
The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands reported 85.38 percent occupancy among 11 member hotels for December 2014, a 1-percent decrease compared to December 2013.
Room rates were $139.73 during the month, compared to $130.80 last December.
“December occupancy rates were slightly lower than December 2013. However, we were happy to see an increase in room rates,” said HANMI chair Gloria Cavanagh. “The additional funds raised by the 50-percent increase in the hotel occupancy tax that HANMI had pushed for through the 18th Legislature was to generate funds to go toward promotions and destination enhancement by the Marianas Visitors Authority. Our support for this aggressive increase was important so that we continue to reinvest back into the industry to keep it healthy. MVA has received a dollar budget from the government that puts the integrity of this in jeopardy. This dramatically reduced the funding that now has to be shared with MVA operations. The importance to prioritize funding is more important than ever. Our Korea and China markets are still very much healthy. However, our Japan market is now considered a crisis market. We would like to emphasize the importance of a diversified destination. Much emphasis needs to be placed in growing this market back to health.”
In calendar year 2014, hotel occupancy averaged 82.41 percent, compared to 82.98 percent in 2013. The average room rate in 2014 was $125.95, compared to $113.32 in 2013.
HANMI was established in 1985 as a professional forum for the hospitality industry of the NMI. (HANMI)
