14/02/2011 - Bad weather hits hotel industry
Scotland's hotel industry witnessed huge falls in occupancy levels and revenue last December, mainly due to the bad weather, according to new figures released by accountancy firm PKF.
There was an 8.5% drop in occupancy levels in Scotland in December, compared with the 1.3% fall seen in England.
Revenue also dropped nearly 9% during the period in Scotland, while it was up 2% south of the border.
Despite Scotland seeing a drop in occupancy levels in December, occupancy for the whole of 2010 reached 71%, the highest recorded by any part of the UK.
England had an average occupancy of 69% last year.
However, Alastair Rae, a partner in the real estate and hospitality sector at PKF, warned that the hotel industry is facing a difficult year ahead.
Mr Rae said: "Whilst the annual data shows that Scotland had a relatively good year considering the economic circumstances, there is obvious worry among consumers about the public sector cuts and the performance of the economy, the continuing depression in the housing market and the potential upturn in interest rates."
Copyright © Press Association 2011
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