BOURNEMOUTH’S hotels are performing better than before the pandemic for room rates and revenue, a survey has found.

Colliers’ UK Hotel Market Performance report examined hotel performance in 25 areas in 2021.

It found Bournemouth, along with Blackpool and Plymouth, outstripped their pre-Covid performance for average daily rates and revenue per available room.

Bournemouth’s hotel occupancy rate last year was 85 per cent of what it was in 2019.

But average daily rates (ADR) were 145 per cent of the 2019 figure, while revenue per available room (RevPAR) was 120 per cent.

Those figures put the resort at the top of a national league table alongside Blackpool and Bath.

The report's authors found Bournemouth was seen as “the closest thing to an international beach destination”.

Marc Finney, head of hotels and resorts consulting at Colliers, said: “ADR growth across the UK outstripped inflation last year, with 15 out of the 25 markets we analysed recording average room rates above pre-pandemic levels, and at least five submarkets exceeding their 2019 RevPAR as well.

“This was a result of various factors, including the UK government’s temporary VAT reduction, as well as higher consumer spending observed across the country. Leisure markets, particularly seaside destinations, continued to lead the path to recovery, with five markets, Bournemouth, Blackpool, Bath, Plymouth and Exeter even exceeding 2019 RevPAR levels.”

The report found Bournemouth was among resorts benefiting from historically strong domestic demand.

Mr Finney added: “The staycation boom of the previous two years is likely to remain for at least the next 12 months, if not beyond.

“Surveys last year found that people were considering taking two breaks this year, a domestic staycation as well as travelling abroad.

“At Easter, we experienced the first test for the travel sector which resulted in significant disruption at airports and flight cancellations. This could result in some people rethinking their plans, which means further opportunities for the UK’s hotel market, which has become adept at pivoting their offer and streamlining their revenue costs over the last two years.

"While costs are increasing, average daily rates and consumer spending has been keeping in line with these and should ensure that profitability within the sector continues this year.”