Snohomish County’s hotels and motels saw their room occupancy rates increase by double digits in 2005, thanks largely to a revival in business travel.
An average of 67.3 percent of the county’s rooms were occupied overnight last year, compared with 60.3 percent in 2004 – a 11.6 percent increase, according to Smith Travel Research.
“It was a very strong growth year for us,” said Amy Spain, executive director of the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau. “The stronger economy had a huge effect on hotels, because corporate travel is the mainstay of the hotels on weeknights.”
Only Kitsap County reported a bigger year-to-year jump in hotel stays. But, Spain pointed out, that county’s supply of rooms is relatively small, at about 1,300, compared with about 5,000 in Snohomish County.
Also of importance to hotels, the average rate charged per room in Snohomish County grew by 7.4 percent last year, from $65.39 a day to $70.23, according to Smith Travel. Only Walla Walla County saw a bigger jump in room charges.
For December alone, the increase in occupancy in Snohomish County was slight, less than 1 percent, according to Smith Travel.
“It’s a difficult month. Christmastime is not when families stay in hotels, and we’re not a wintertime destination,” Spain said.
Compared with 2005, Spain said she expects a more modest jump in occupancy and room charge rates this year. Still, the rates are expected to grow because business and leisure travel is again on the increase nationwide.
The tourism bureau’s plan for this year includes more marketing of the county to international travelers, including Canadians, who are heading south in greater numbers to take advantage of the relatively favorable currency exchange rate.
The bureau also is marketing more to sports tournament organizers. The National Softball Association, for example, will return this summer. In 2004, the association’s Western World Series drew thousands to the county and brought more than $3 million in visitor spending, according to the tourism bureau.
Reporter Eric Fetters: 425-339-3453 or fetters@heraldnet.com.
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