U.S. Lodging Starts Strong for October

U.S. hotels posted strong year-over-year performance numbers for the first full week in October, according to Smith Travel Research. Occupancy climbed 6.5 percent, revenue per available room was up 8.8 percent and average daily rate -- the recovery of which has been lagging behind the other metrics -- increased by 2.2 percent, a marked improvement. Of the top 25 markets, Atlanta posted the largest rate increase, rising 10.8 percent, to $94.64. New York City followed with a 10.2 percent rise, to $280.39. Five markets enjoyed RevPAR growth of more than 15 percent: New Orleans (29.3 percent), Atlanta (28.4 percent), Dallas (19.8 percent), Miami (17.9 percent) and Orlando (15.7 percent).