London hotels suffered their worst month in October since the Gulf War with occupancy levels falling by 22.6 per cent.
The results from PKF's preliminary performance figures for the UK hotel industry reveal the different trends starting to emerge in the London and regional hotel market since the terrorist attacks on September 11. While the number of hotel rooms occupied by American and Japanese visitors dropped by 43.5 per cent and 51.0 per cent respectively, the number of rooms occupied by domestic visitors only dropped by 3 per cent. Although the whole of the London hotel industry is suffering, the top end of the market is suffering more than mid-market and budget hotels. Celtic Manor has been selected as the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup matches. With 1,400 acres of panoramic Welsh countryside, the Roman Road, Coldra Woods and Wentwood Hills have been described as fantastic courses in a fabulous location. The resort's course will be adapted to meet specific Ryder Cup requirements. Seven completely new holes will be built alongside the river Usk, leaving the hillsides as natural viewing for more than 50,000 spectators. The resort also offers a 400 room, 32 suite five star hotel, functions rooms, convention centre, health clubs and spa. London City Airport has been significantly developed over the last five year and the airport is now being recognised as one of Europe's fastest growing airport for business travel. Over 6,000 passengers pass through the premier terminal every day, of whom 70 per cent are business travellers. The airport's success has been attributed to its location which is only six miles from the heart of the City and two miles from Canary Wharf. Since 1996, the number of routes have more than doubled to 28.