New figures show the number of hotel beds sold in Liverpool has risen 11 percent this year, despite the washout summer.
Over 100,000 hotel room nights have been sold across the city every month – 800,000 up until the end of August. This is an increase of 80,000 beds over the equivalent period last year.
If the current trend continues, the predicted number of rooms sold by the end of this year will be significantly more than the record 1.12 million achieved in 2011.
Both weekday and weekend occupancy percentages have risen since 2011, despite an extra hotel – the Travelodge on Strand Street – opening earlier in the year bringing an additional 141 budget bedrooms onto the market. Occupancy between January to August was 71.8% in 2012 compared to 68.7% in 2011. Mid week occupancy is also improving.
Councillor Wendy Simon, Cabinet member for culture, said: “With less people travelling abroad for their holidays in these financially uncertain times, it seems that more people are spending time here. And nowhere is better placed than Liverpool to attract more visitors with our fantastic leisure, culture, shopping and conference facilities.
It is hoped that the economic boost from spending by hotel visitors could top £600 million.
