2015 was a
very good year for Kitsap County hoteliers. 2016 is looking
even better.
Kitsap posted the largest percentage increase in lodging revenues among major Washington counties this spring, according to a market survey by Smith Travel Reports made available by Visit Kitsap Peninsula.
Revenue was up nearly 30 percent, a change of about $2 million, January through April this year, compared with the first four months of 2015. Demand for lodging (the total number of room sold) was up 18 percent.
Visit Kitsap Executive
Director Patty Graf-Hoke said the jump in revenue
was partially driven by hotels raising room rates.
Hotels charged an average daily rate of $93 in April, up from $84 in April 2015.
Federal employees and contractors fill many Kitsap hotel rooms, particularly in the Bremerton area. The federal per-diem for lodging is currently $89.
But Graf-Hoke said hotels have enjoyed a recent influx of tourists, as well as construction workers employed at large developments in the county.
“The hoteliers are having the ability to charge higher room rates because of an increase in leisure travel,” Graf-Hoke said.
