The “Companion Fly Free” program has helped room occupancy in The Bahamas’ major hotels soar to a two-year high, though they are still not at pre-recession levels.
According to preliminary statistics released by the Bahamas Hotel Association and The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the 14 major New Providence hotels recorded a 78.2 percent occupancy rate for July, the highest recorded level since July in 2008 when occupancy rates reached 78.7 percent.
This occupancy rate, combined with an increase in average daily room rate (ADR) of $18.33 over the same period last year, generated a 17.4 percent room revenue boost and an 8 percent increase in room nights sold. For July 2010, the ADR was$229.47 compared to$211.14 last year.
Of the fourteen properties, twelve reported increases in their room revenue, with ten of them showing double-digit growth.
By SCOTT ARMSTRONG
Guardian Business Editor
