Scottish catering and hospitality news in Scotland

Catering in Scotland magazine is published bi-monthly with in-depth features, views and news for the Scottish catering, hospitality and tourism industry. On this page we have the latest news to keep you constantly updated on the market. On the left hand side of the page you can search our archived news which is stored monthly.

Friday, July 03, 2009

Scottish Hotel Sector Remains Bouyant

Scotland's hotel sector continues to outperform its counterparts in the rest of regional UK during May, according to the latest monthly survey by accountants and business advisers, PKF. In Scotland there was 0.6% increase in occupancy compared to
a 5.5% drop for regional UK, and a 6.4% fall in England alone. Meanwhile, rooms yield fell by only 4.1% in Scotland as opposed to 14.6% in regional UK and 15.9% in England.

Both Edinburgh and Glasgow had an increase in occupancy, 2.3% and 2.9% respectively, but Aberdeen actually dipped by 10% in May.

'The latest monthly figures indicate that Scotland seems to be outperforming the rest of the UK during these very difficult times,' says Alastair Rae, a partner at PKF. 'In particular, Edinburgh and Glasgow are holding up well in terms of occupancy and rooms yield, and Edinburgh has now had two months of positive occupancy figures and a reasonable degree of stability in rooms yield.

'These figures are relatively positive for Scotland, but should be treated with some caution, as it is clear that we are still some distance from recovery. The hospitality sector will improve when the wider economy picks up and there is little evidence to suggest that this is likely to occur before next year. The tourism market will provide a necessary lifeline for much of Scotland's hotel sector while business expenditure remains deflated.'

Internet marketing and web design by Trinity Heriot
Catering in Scotland : Scottish Catering, Hospitality & Tourism magazine