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A bumper month for hoteliers spurred by growing consumer confidence across the UK saw double digit growth in room yield in December, according to new figures.
Business advisory and accountancy firm BDO said improved consumer confidence and a dry December resulted in an 8/1% rise in room rate in London to £116.35.
Occupancy was up by 4.5% to 79.8%, resulting in room yield growing by 13% when compared to the same period in 2013.
Hotels outside London saw a 5.4% rise in occupancy to 66.7%. The average room rate was also up 8.1% to £54.97, with room yield rising 13.9% to £36.64.
BDO partner Robert Barnard said: “December can traditionally be a quiet month for hotels as corporate travel dies down, the UK receives fewer overseas visitors and hotel stays are generally combined with shopping trips, family visits and post-Christmas party convenience.
“It’s therefore encouraging to see strong figures for December this year.
“While the dry weather no doubt played a part, this can largely be put down to growing consumer confidence, coupled with falling energy and petrol prices resulting in low inflation.
“People are more confident with their personal finances, resulting in increased spend on travel and tourism.
“And with this trend is only expected to continue, hotel owners in London and in the regions can expect a bright outlook for 2015.”