The Dutch hotels report positive news for the first time in years.

The occupancy rates have increased in the past year, from 66.7% to 69.1%, and the outlook is that this will continue in the coming year. This is shown in new research by Horwath Consulting. The average room rates remained stable in the past year, but are expected to increase this year.

The research by Horwath Consulting shows that the slow recovery of the Dutch economy has also influenced the Dutch hotel industry. Most hotel managers are optimistic about the future. The occupancy in the Dutch hotel rooms continues to increase. The first results over 2005 indicate that the occupancy has increased from 66.7% to 69.1%. For 2006, it is expected that the occupancy will be close to 70%. It will then be back at the level of 2002, for the first time since the crash of 2003.

The average room rate that the Dutch hotels achieved in 2005 was the same as the previous year: € 98. For 2006, an increase to € 101 is expected. Thanks to the increased occupancies and the stable room rates, the yield (or revenue per available room) has increased from € 65 to € 68. For 2006, the outlook is that the yield will increase further, to € 71.

The occupancies have increased both in the region of Amsterdam & Schiphol and in the provinces. In the region Amsterdam & Schiphol the occupancies are clearly higher than in the rest of the Netherlands. In 2005, the occupancy in the capital was 76.6%, while the occupancy outside this region was 63.1%. The room rates are higher in the capital as well. However, the rates did decrease slightly in Amsterdam & Schiphol, from € 114 to € 113, but it is expected that in 2006 the rates will increase to € 115. Outside the region of Amsterdam & Schiphol, the prices increased from € 82 to € 83 in 2005, and for 2006 a further increase to € 86 is expected.

Over 100 three, four and five star hotels contributed to the research by Horwath Consulting.

For more information please contact:
Marco van Bruggen vanbruggen@horwath.nl