A return to optimism after an excellent month of April

“The year 2002 was a record year with an 84% occupancy rate. In 2003, it was 76% and this year it is up to 80-81%. There is a clear business recovery and we are very optimistic about the months to come. This year is much better than the last. I think that in Paris, my colleagues have nothing to complain about either. It is very satisfactory and encouraging. This year’s recovery is truly strong.” Didier Le Calvez, Managing director of the 4* hotel Four Seasons George V in Paris doesn’t hide his optimism as he resumes his property’s positioning in these early stages of the year 2004. The month of April marks a recovery of business for the hotel sector, in Paris as in the rest of the European Union. European hoteliers are seeing occupancy rates progress alongside average daily rates. Upscale properties, particularly sensitive to slumps in activity, post growth in the RevPAR by 8.0%. Moreover, occupancy rates did not improve to the detriment of average daily rates, which was often the case in previous months. The other segments are not outdone with all categories posting improved revenue per available room (from 4.1% in 3* to 7.1% in 0*).It may be hoped that the trend begun by Austria a few months ago will confirm itself throughout Europe and that the very good results of the month of April renew themselves in the months to come. Brigitt Trattner, Director of the 3* hotel Holiday Inn Vienna South tries to be resolutely optimistic: “Our occupancy rate was better in April with respect to the previous year. We have reached 91%. Business has truly taken off again in Vienna. All the city’s professionals are really optimistic about the upcoming months. The market is very satisfactory. January and February were finally slow months...