Sonoma County hotels busier in August

Sonoma County hotel occupancy rose 7.7 percent in August, according to PKF Consulting, a San Francisco research firm that tracks the lodging sector.

Room rates rose 2.8 percent, compared to the same month last year.

After two years of dismal results, the hospitality industry started to grow again last year, said Robert Mandelbaum, PKF's research director.

The average U.S. hotel saw revenue increase 4.8 percent last year, he said. But only 60 percent of hotels made a profit, due to rising costs.

Sonoma County hotels filled 80.3 percent of their rooms in August, compared to 74.6 percent a year ago. The average daily room rate was $141.95, up from $138.09 last year.

So far this year, county hotel occupancy is up 7.3 percent from last year, and room rates have risen 3.9 percent.

Leisure travel accounted for more than 46 percent of Northern California hotel stays in August, PKF said. Business travel was 28 percent of the market, while group travel was 18 percent.