Report: Lodging Market Should Finish Strong

SAN DIEGO-While tourism has been down, the drive-in and group lodging market has remained brisk, protecting the area from the occupancy rate hits suffered in other markets, according to the mid-year report by R.A. Rauch & Associates.

First-quarter numbers showed a remarkable improvement from the final quarter of 2001. Year over year, hotel occupancy was down only 7.8% through April 2002 from nearly 20% in October 2001 when compared to 2000.

“Considering that the January 2001 to April 2001 period was particularly strong, the numbers show that San Diego has remained strong,” says Robert Rauch, principal.