Surge in hotel rooms on way

PwC is today reporting a looming surge in Scottish hotels rooms, with another 5,000 becoming available before the end of 2020.

But the professional services firm’s latest hotels forecast also warns revenue per available room (Revpar) is falling due to the increased room availability across Scotland’s three largest cities.

In Aberdeen, a continued recovery in the oil and gas industry is reflected in a 1.4 percentage point increase in occupancy rates, to 64.5%, between June 2018 and June 2019.

But Revpar – a benchmark measure for the industry – fell by 2.1% as a result of the average daily rate sliding to £55.26, from £56.43, as more than

“It is positive to see an increase in the number of hotel rooms”

100 new rooms became available. The highestprofile opening in the city during the period under review was the Sandman Signature, which opened in the latter half of 2018.

In addition, Hilton opened a 200-room hotel on the site of the new P&J Live concert and events centre in August.

Kevin Reynard, of PwC in Aberdeen, said: “Aberdeen has emerged from the 2014 oil and gas downturn in resilient mood and while challenges remain, there is undoubted confidence returning to the city – both in the oil and gas sector and in other areas, such as food and drink.

“It is positive to see an increase in the number of hotel rooms being opened, and the P&J Live centre has been central to this, drawing more visitors to the city.

“We are expecting a further boost to tourism next year when the Aberdeen harbour expansion welcomes cruise ships.”