HOTELS in Swindon have suffered a 13 per cent drop in occupancy over last 12 months, new figures reveal.

The figures show occupancy, average room rate and revenue per available room all significantly down compared to September 2008.

They were gathered from eight hotels in the town and, according to PKF Accountants and Business Advisers, who commissioned the poll, reflect the impact the economic downturn has had on the industry.

Occupancy was down 13.3 per cent from 75.1 per cent in September last year to 65.1 per cent in 2009.

Average room rate was down 10.1 per cent, from £64.07 in 2008 to £57.61 in 2009 leaving revenue per available room down 22.1 per cent, from £48.12 in 2008 to £37.50 in 2009.

David Lee, the general manager at Holiday Inn in Marlborough Road, said while the market has taken a dip, he is hopeful for the future.

“It has been a very soft year for this industry,” he said.

“I think we can expect next year’s figures to be fairly comparable with what we have seen next year.

“The first quarter will be exceptionally soft with the second and third being fairly comparable. Saying that, by quarter four at the end of next year I would hope to see some growth and that is what we’re aiming for.”

The new 229-bedroom Jurys Inn in Fleming Way opened in July and planning permission was granted last month for a 118-bedroom Hilton hotel to be built close to the railway station.

Another hotel is planned for the site of the old police station in Fleming Way.

Neil Dimes, of PKF, said: “Managers and hotel owners are trying to attract customers by dropping room rate.

“However, this isn’t having the desired effect of attracting people to stay and explains why average room rate and rooms yield are both significantly down.

“People staying overnight in Swindon have all but disappeared as businesses look to save costs, so it comes as no surprise the figures are down in comparison to the year before.

“It also seems that the much hoped recovery is still a very long way off and it’s very difficult to predict with any form of certainty when things will start to improve.”

While Swindon hoteliers have suffered they not been the hardest hit.

In Reading, occupancy was down 15.5 per cent, average room rate was down 12.8 per cent and rooms yield was down 26.3 per cent.