Hotel operators across the UK have reported "steady" trading in both February and March, according to new figures from PKF Hotel Consultancy Services.

Although room occupancy in London was down 4.7 per cent, compared with February 2010, rooms yield increased by 1.7 per cent and room rate grew by 6.7 per cent. PKF's preliminary March figures have revealed a 7.4 per cent year-on-year increase in room rate; a 1.5 per cent growth in occupancy; and a 9 per cent increase in rooms yield.

Meanwhile, regional operators saw room rate grow by 1.8 per cent in February. Rooms yield remained stable, although there was a slight decline in occupancy. Preliminary figures for regional hoteliers have shown a 1.4 per cent growth in room rate and a 1.3 per cent increase in rooms yield, while occupancy remained flat at 67 per cent in March.

PKF Hotel Consultancy Services partner Robert Barnard said: "I expect, particularly for London, that the figures will remain strong over the next few months with the Royal Wedding at the end of April expected to bring in additional visitors to the capital." Image: sf2301420max/Shutterstock.com