January's UK occupancy levels show a drop against 2007

The latest UK Occupancy Survey shows UK bedspace occupancy in January 2008 was 5 percentage points lower than in the same month in 2007 (down from 32% to 28%). At 44%, room occupancy was also lower (by 3 percentage points).

Although UK occupancy levels for hotels fell, there was better news for smaller establishments. UK guest house occupancy levels were higher compared with January 2007. In bed and breakfast establishments room occupancy rose slightly, while bedspace occupancy remained the same as the previous year.

UK establishments with 1-3 letting rooms, 4-10 and 11-25 letting rooms each saw a rise in occupancy levels (+ 3% for those with up to 10 rooms, and + 2% for 11-25 rooms). While establishments with 51-100 letting bedrooms also saw a small rise (+ 1%), those with 26-50 rooms and with 100 plus bedrooms both had lower occupancy levels.

Looking at occupancy levels by location, levels for English seaside and small town locations were higher in January 2008 compared with 2007. City/large towns and country/village locations, however, both saw a fall. The same was true for occupancy by location across the whole of the UK.

The UK Occupancy Survey monitors monthly bed and room occupancy for serviced accommodation. Types of accommodation surveyed are hotels (including motels, travel lodges and inns), guest houses and private houses (including farmhouses) offering bed and breakfast to visitors.

The survey is co-ordinated by TNS Travel and Tourism on behalf of the UK's four national tourist boards. To download a pdf copy of the January 2008 survey results go to www.tourismtrade.org.uk.