In the week that ended Feb. 27, Jacksonville hotels reported occupancy at 70.8%, a growth of nearly 4% from the previous week and continuation of the market’s slow recovery from the pandemic’s effect on business travel and tourism.
Weekend occupancies were at pre-COVID levels in the 80th percentile, according to information released March 4 by Visit Jacksonville.
Small groups and events like the sold-out Spartan obstacle course race at WW Ranch Motocross Park likely helped boost occupancy for the weekend, Visit Jacksonville said.
Arlington hotels reported the most improvement: 82.0% occupancy, a gain of 4.2% compared with the last week of February 2020. Minor losses were recorded at the Beaches (81.6%, -1.0%) and Westside (79.4%, -2.6%).
While occupancy is improving, the average daily room rate was $82.24, well below pre-pandemic February rates and about $19 lower than 2019 statistics.
Revenue per room was down nearly $24 and room revenue for the week was $7.4 million, a loss of $3 million from same week in 2020.