Sonoma County hotels busier in August

<p>Sonoma County hotels reported business rose 4 percent through August, according to a survey Wednesday by PKF Consulting, which tracks the hospitality sector.</p><p>“After suffering record-breaking declines in 2009, the U.S. lodging industry has shown signs of turning around,” said Robert Mandelbaum, research director for PKF.</p><p>So far this year, Sonoma County hotel occupancy is 63 percent, compared to 60.5 percent last year.</p><p>In August, hotel occupancy was 75 percent, up about 1 percent from the same month in 2009. The average daily room rate in August was $136.53, up almost 2 percent from last year.</p><p>The U.S. lodging sector should continue to grow in 2011, Mandelbaum said, with increases in occupancy and room rates.</p><p>Sonoma County attracts more than 7 million visitors a year, who spend about $1.3 billion at hotels, inns, campgrounds, restaurants, wineries and other attractions, according to the county Economic Development Board. </p><p>The sector employs about 17,000 county residents.</p>