Wales tourism accommodation occupancy survey, 2016: Annual … · 2019-04-05 · The self-catering...

Wales tourism accommodation

occupancy survey, 2016 Annual report

Mae’r ddogfen yma hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg. This document is also available in Welsh.

© Crown Copyright

For further information please contact:

Robert Lewis

Economy, Skills and Natural Resources Group

Knowledge and Analytical Services

Welsh Government

QED Centre,

Treforest Estate

Pontypridd

CF37 5YR Tel: 0300 061 6026

Email: [email protected]

www.twitter.com/statisticswales | www.twitter.com/ystadegaucymru

October 2017

SFR 161/2017

All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise

stated.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.twitter.com/statisticswales

http://www.twitter.com/ystadegaucymru

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

i

Contents 1 Executive summary ii-iv

2 Introduction 1

3 Hotels 2

4 Guest Houses/ B&Bs 14

5 All Serviced Accommodation 25

6 Self-catering Cottages & Apartments 28

7 Caravan Holiday Homes 45

8 Touring Caravan & Camping Parks 48

9 Hostels & Bunkhouses 52

Appendix 1 – Hotels 57

Appendix 2 – Guest Houses/ B&Bs 60

Appendix 3 – Self-catering 63

Appendix 4 – Sample Sizes 64

ii

1 Executive Summary

An occupancy survey has been continuously undertaken amongst graded hotel accommodation

providers since 1972 to monitor levels of demand for hotel rooms and beds in Wales. To

comply with the requirements of the EU Directive on Tourism Statistics, the survey was

extended in 1997 to cover all serviced accommodation, including guest houses, bed and

breakfast establishments and non-graded serviced accommodation.

Change in Occupancy Reporting

In January 2014, a change was made to hotel occupancy data with the inclusion of syndicated

data for about 100 larger hotels (with 100+ rooms) provided by STR Global in the overall

Wales hotel occupancy calculation. The data provided by STR Global includes occupancy and

revenue but not guest type (i.e. UK vs overseas, business travellers vs. non-business

travellers). This data has been included since 2014 but not for any years prior to this. The

inclusion of this data makes the survey much more robust but may have some impact on trends

before 2014.

The self-catering survey has been conducted in varying formats since 1987. The survey covers

self-catering accommodation, caravan holiday homes, touring caravan and camping parks. In

addition, in 2008, hostels and bunkhouses were also included within the coverage of the survey.

This report covers the 2016 Wales Accommodation Occupancy Survey. Where available

and appropriate, comparative figures from previous years are presented throughout the

report.

Hotels

Average bed and room occupancy rates for 2016 were 50% and 67% respectively, a fall

of one percentage point on bedspace occupancy rates recorded the previous year.

However, in general, the annual average occupancy rates in the hotel sector, continue to

remain at their highest levels in both measures of occupancy during the last 11 years.

In 2016, the average annual bed occupancy fell by 1 percentage point and the average annual

room occupancy rates remained static when compared with 2015

iii

Over the previous eight years (2006 – 2013), the annual average bed occupancy rate showed relative

consistency with rates in the range 42% - 45%, while the average annual room occupancy rate ranged

from 58% - 61%.

The highest annual average bed occupancy rate recorded was in North Wales (55%), followed by the

South East and South West (51% and 47% respectively).

The annual average room occupancy rates were more variable during 2016, with the highest

rate being found in South East Wales (72%) followed by a rate of 68% for North Wales and 60%

for South West Wales. Lower annual average occupancy rates were recorded in Mid Wales

(41% for bed occupancy and 53% for room occupancy).

Guesthouses/B&B’s

The annual average bed occupancy rate for Guest Houses/B&Bs rose from 31% in 2015 to 35%

in 2016, with room occupancy rates rising from 37% to 39%.

The continued seasonality of the Guest House/B&B sector in Wales remains evident in 2016.

The average bed occupancy rate was16% in January, rising to its peak of 58% in August and

ending the year with a rate of 20% in December 2016. The average room occupancy rate

also followed a similar pattern, rising from 20% in January to 63% in August and then falling

back to 23% in December.

As in previous years, the annual average bed and room occupancy rates were highest in South

West Wales where averages of 42% and 47% respectively were recorded for establishments in

this region. This contrasts with Mid Wales where the annual average bed occupancy rate was

26% and for room occupancy was 29%.

All Service Accommodation

The annual average bed occupancy rate for all serviced accommodation across Wales in 2016 was

47%, while the annual average room occupancy rate was 61%.

After a four-year period (2008 to 2011) in which a rate of 38% was recorded for annual average bed

occupancy, the next four years saw the rate rise to 47% (a rise of 9 percentage points), a level which

was maintained in 2016. The annual average room occupancy rate also showed a great degree of

consistency over the period 2008 to 2012 with a rate of 52% recorded each year. Since 2012 the

annual average room occupancy increased each year to reach 62% in 2015 but fell to 61% in 2016.

Self-Catering Cottages & Apartments

The annual average unit occupancy was 52% in 2016, two percentage points higher than in 2015. As

with the serviced sectors, self-catering accommodation also continued to demonstrate seasonality in

the average unit occupancy rates recorded for each month in 2016. A unit occupancy rate of 27%

was recorded in January, which rose to a peak of 90% in August before falling to 37% in December

The annual average unit occupancy rate for independently let properties across Wales was 46%, a

decrease of 4 percentage points on 2015 and back to the level experienced in 2013 and 2014.

iv

Caravan Holiday Homes

The seasonal average for caravan holiday homes remained above 75% in the period 2009

– 2013 but dropped to 63% in 2014, and rose again to 75% in 2015 and 91% in 2016.

Caravan holiday homes have seen a significant rise during 2016 in the May to October average, up

from 75% in 2015 to 91% in 2016, an increase of 16 percentage points and the highest recorded

average over the period under review.

The sample during this period has fluctuated and may have contributed to the changes in occupancy

rates shown.

Touring Caravan & Camping Parks

The May to October seasonal average has shown some variation over the years influenced, in part,

by sample variations in the sample. The 2016 rate of 41% is one of the highest since 2011 and is 4

percentage points higher than the seasonal average recorded in 2015.

The 2016 seasonal averages for coastal locations rose by 4 percentage points when compared with

2015, reaching the second highest level since 2008 (52%). Seasonal averages for inland locations

also saw an upturn on the levels achieved the previous year, up by 5 percentage points from 32% to

37% in 2016.

Hostels & Bunkhouses

The annual average bed occupancy rate for Hostels and Bunkhouses increased to 50% in 2016.

When analysed by month, the established pattern of seasonality was again evident, rising steadily

between January and May (from 22% to 53%), increasing during June and July before peaking in

August (71%). It then decreased sharply in September (by 22 percentage points) before falling to 35

and 40% in November and December.

The annual average percentage of overseas bednights remained at its 2015 level (15%), with

increases being recorded in January, February, June, July and September (of 4, 10, 1, 3 and 2

percentage points respectively). The August figures remained unchanged, while decreases were

seen in March, April, October, November and December (of 5, 4, 4, 3 and 13 percentage points

respectively).

1

2 Introduction

An occupancy survey has been continuously undertaken amongst graded hotel accommodation

providers since 1972 to monitor levels of demand for hotel rooms and beds in Wales. To comply with

the requirements of the EU Directive on Tourism Statistics, the survey was extended in 1997 to

cover all serviced accommodation, including guest houses, bed and breakfast establishments and

non-graded serviced accommodation.

Change in Occupancy Reporting

In January 2014, a change was made to hotel occupancy data with the inclusion of syndicated data for

about 100 larger hotels (with 100+ rooms) provided by STR in the overall Wales hotel occupancy

calculation. The data provided by STR includes occupancy and revenue but not guest type (i.e. UK

vs overseas, business travellers vs. non-business travellers). This data has been included since 2014

but not for any years prior to this. The inclusion of this data makes the survey much more robust but

may have some impact on trends before 2014.

The self-catering survey has been conducted in varying formats since 1987. The survey covers self-

catering accommodation, caravan holiday homes, touring caravan and camping parks. In addition, in

2008, hostels and bunkhouses were also included within the coverage of the survey.

This report covers the 2016 Wales Accommodation Occupancy Survey. Where available and

appropriate, comparative figures from previous years are presented throughout the report. Sections 3

to 9 examine each of the accommodation sectors as follows:

Section 3: Hotels

Section 4: Guest Houses/ B&Bs

Section 5: All Serviced Accommodation

Section 6: Self-catering Cottages and Apartments

Section 7: Caravan Holiday Homes

Section 8: Touring Caravan & Camping Parks

Section 9: Hostels & Bunkhouses Hotels

2

3 Hotels

Section 3 of the report presents the 2016 occupancy data for hotels. Please note that, as in 2014 and

2015, hotel data for 2016 includes data from STR Global for larger hotels with 100+ rooms.

3.1 Annual Average Bed & Room Occupancy

Average bed and room occupancy rates for 2016 were 50% and 67% respectively, a fall of one

percentage point on bedspace occupancy rates recorded the previous year. However, in general, the

annual average occupancy rates in the hotel sector, continue to remain at their highest levels in both

measures of occupancy during the last 11 years.

Figure 3.1 - Hotels - Trends in Occupancy Rates - Annual Averages (%)

In 2016, the average annual bed occupancy fell by 1 percentage point and the average annual room

occupancy rates remained static when compared with 2015.

Over the previous eight years (2006 – 2013), the annual average bed occupancy rate showed relative

consistency with rates in the range 42% - 45%, while the average annual room occupancy rate ranged

from 58% - 61%. Rates have remained fairly static over the last three years, continuing the upward

trend seen in 2014, increasing by 6 percentage points (bed occupancy) and 9 (room occupancy) when

compared with 2006.

44 44 43 42 43 42 44 45 50 51 50

58 59 58 58 59 59 59 61 66 67 67

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Bed Occupancy Room Occupancy

3

3.2 Monthly Bed and Room Occupancy

The monthly bed and room occupancy rates along with the annual averages recorded in the

hotel sector in 2016 are presented in Figure 3.2 below.

Figure 3.2 - Hotels - Monthly Bed & Room Occupancy 2016 (%)

The seasonality of occupancy rates for hotels in Wales continued to be evident in 2016. The average

bed occupancy rate rose from 35% in January to a peak of 65% in August before falling to 44% in

December. The average room occupancy rate also followed a similar pattern, starting the year at 49%

before rising to 81% in August and ending the year at 57% in December

Table 3.1 - Hotels - Trends in Room Occupancy Rates - Monthly Averages (%)

Room Occupancy

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 38 40 39 40 39 40 40 40 46 47 49

February 50 50 50 48 50 53 49 54 58 60 59

March 51 53 54 51 53 56 59 56 59 62 61

April 58 58 56 58 60 61 57 60 66 66 64

May 65 65 66 62 64 64 63 66 70 71 64

June 66 67 66 68 69 68 66 68 72 74 72

July 70 67 67 70 70 69 67 72 77 79 77

August 73 73 71 70 69 67 72 74 80 79 81

September 71 71 69 69 70 68 71 69 76 79 78

October 61 62 61 63 63 61 60 62 69 72 69

November 53 55 54 54 54 56 52 59 60 61 63

December 44 47 45 47 42 44 49 50 51 53 57

Annual

Average 58 59 58 58 59 59 59 61 66 67 67

35

43 45 49 49

54 60

65 60

51 45 44

50 49

59 61 64 64

72 77

81 78

69 63

57

67

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

J F M A M J J A S O N D Ann Avg

Bed occupancy Room occupancy

4

The annual monthly averages in 2016 saw a fall in eight out of the twelve months, with May witnessing

the biggest fall, down 7 percentage points on May 2015. The other four months saw rises of between 2

and 4 percentage points with December up 4 percentage points when compared with the previous

year.

Although not at the levels seen in 2015. the 2016 average monthly room occupancy rates still saw a

continuation of the high levels of occupancy recorded in the period 2006 – 2016. The greatest increase

(of 13 percentage points) occurred in December, with April registering the smallest increase (of 6

percentage points).

Trends in monthly bed occupancy rates since 2006 may be found in Appendix 1a.

3.3 Regional Occupancy Rates

Figure 3.3 - Hotels – Annual Average Bed & Room Occupancy by Region 2016 (%)

The highest annual average bed occupancy rate recorded was in North Wales (55%), followed by the South

East and South West (51% and 47% respectively).

The annual average room occupancy rates were more variable during 2016, with the highest rate

being found in South East Wales (72%) followed by a rate of 68% for North Wales and 60% for South

West Wales. Lower annual average occupancy rates were recorded in Mid Wales (41% for bed

occupancy and 53% for room occupancy). The biggest difference in room and bed occupancy was

found in the South East, where single room occupancy could possibly reflect higher business use in this

area.

Average bed and room occupancy levels for each region on a monthly basis for 2016 are presented in

Appendix 1b and 1c. Please note that due to the small sample size in some areas, this information is

not always available.

55

41

51 47 50

68

53

72

60 67

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

North Mid South East South West Total Wales


5

3.3.1 Trends in Regional Occupancy Rates

Table 3.2 – Hotels - Trends in Room Occupancy Rates by Regions of Wales (%)

Annual Average Room Occupancy

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

North Wales 57 59 57 62 61 61 62 63 66 68 68

Mid Wales 53 53 50 49 49 54 54 52 52 52 53

South East

Wales

63 63 66 62 62 61 61 66 71 73 72

South West

Wales 58 58 56 53 54 51 50 50 64 64 60

TOTAL

WALES 58 59 58 58 59 59 59 61 66 67 67

Between 2006 and 2016, annual average room occupancy increased in North Wales, South East

Wales and South West Wales (by 11, 9 and 2 percentage points) In Mid Wales, the 2016 annual

average room occupancy rate of 53% was the same as that in 2006.

During the period 2006-2016, South East Wales recorded the highest annual average room

occupancy in every year except 2012 when North Wales achieved a rate of 62%, 1 percentage point

higher than that of South East Wales. In contrast, South West Wales witnessed a fall of 4 percentage

points, down from 64% in 2015 to 60% in 2016.

3.4 Percentage of Overseas Guests

The forms used to collect occupancy data were updated in 2008 to make them more focussed and

efficient. One of the changes affected the way in which information on overseas guests is collected.

In previous years, establishments were asked to provide information on the number of new arrivals for

each day (both UK and overseas) and the percentage of overseas guests was based on the total

number of arrivals. This information on arrivals has not been collected since 2007 and the proportion

of overseas stays has, since 2008, been presented as a percentage of bednights (based on total

bednights).

It is important to highlight that the variation between the different methods of collecting overseas data

is a matter of a few decimal places. As an example, the annual 2007 percentage was 4.0% using the

old method and 4.1% using the new approach. In light of these changes, and to ensure consistency

that overseas figures across years are compared based on the same methodological process, the

amount of trended information presented for overseas guests has been reduced and the focus in this

report is on the latest 2009 to 2016 results.

It should also be noted that not all participants provided this data.

6

Figure 3.4 – Hotels - Percentage of Overseas Bednights 2016 (%)

Unlike previous years, the percentage of overseas bednights saw varied levels of occupancy across the whole

year. The overseas bednight occupancy rate continued to be highest during the summer months, with a figure

of 7% being recorded in July and August but also in February during 2016. The annual average was 5%.

3.4.1 Trends in Percentage of Overseas Guests The annual average overseas bednights rate for 2016 was 5%, the highest since 2013. There has been little

movement in the percentage of overseas guests since 2009, ranging from 4%-6%.

Table 3.3 – Hotels – Trends in Percentage of Overseas Guests

% of Overseas Bednights

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

2016

January 5 4 6 5 3 2 2 3

February 4 4 4 2 3 2 2 7

March 4 5 5 4 3 2 2 6

April 4 4 4 4 5 3 2 5

May 5 5 6 5 6 6 6 6

June 5 6 6 3 7 6 5 5

July 6 6 7 6 9 6 7 7

August 5 4 5 7 7 6 5 7

September 5 6 5 5 7 4 4 5

October 4 6 4 4 5 5 4 5

November 4 5 4 2 2 2 3 2

December 2 3 3 3 6 2 3 1

Annual Average 5 5 5 4 6 4 4 5

3

7

6

5

6

5

7 7

5 5

2

1

5

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

J F M A M J J A S O N D AnnAvg

7

Overseas bednight occupancy rates have continued to be more variable than annual rates when

analysed on a monthly basis; however, given the relatively small proportions recorded, these have not

been particularly sizeable variations. Figures for 2016 rose in seven out of twelve months (January,

February, March, April, August, September and October). The summer months of May, June and July

remained the same as 2015, with November and December down by 1 and 2 percentage points

respectively.

Figure 3.5 – Hotels – Percentage of Overseas Guests by Region 2010 – 2016 (%)

The highest annual overseas guest occupancy in 2016 was found in the South East (8%) with both

Mid Wales and the South West achieving rates of 7% during 2016. The lowest figure (4%) was recorded

in North Wales.

3.5 Percentage of Business Guests

On the monthly occupancy form, operators were asked to identify the number of guests staying in the

hotel each night for business purposes. It should be noted that, while the sample sizes for those

providing business data have been fairly consistent over the period 2012 - 2016, not all establishments

provide business occupancy data.

The monthly data for 2016 is shown in Figure 3.6 overleaf.

3 4

7 8

5

3

5

9

7

5

3

5

7

5 4

5 5

8

5 6

3

7 6 6

4 3

5 5 6

4 4

7 8

7

5

0

5

10

15


2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

8

Figure 3.6 – Hotels – Percentage of Business Guests 2016 (%)

As in 2015, business occupancy continued to demonstrate a converse pattern to that recorded for overall

occupancy rates, with the highest business rates being recorded outside the main summer season. The highest

2016 average business occupancy rates were recorded at the beginning and end of the year, with rates of 21%

and 18% in February and January and 10% in November. However, as in the previous year, higher rates were

recorded in June (14%) when compared with the same months of 2012 and 2103.

Table 3.4 – Hotels - Trends in Percentage of Business Guests

% of Business Guests

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 41 33 38 31 22 29 27 17 22 13 18

February 30 25 26 26 19 21 17 16 23 11 21

March 28 21 19 24 20 19 11 11 17 13 16

April 15 15 24 17 13 9 7 7 17 9 15

May 17 18 16 16 15 15 9 7 12 8 12

June 17 16 19 20 14 12 7 7 10 11 14

July 17 14 18 17 13 11 7 7 8 12 5

August 14 10 11 11 9 9 6 6 5 6 5

September 15 12 18 14 12 10 6 11 11 10 7

October 21 15 21 18 15 13 8 9 15 10 9

November 24 23 28 19 24 21 11 20 14 18 10

December 18 24 21 17 20 14 12 22 16 11 4

Annual Average 20 18 20 18 15 14 9 10 13 11 8

The 2016 annual average business occupancy rate of 8% showed a decrease of 3 percentage points

when compared with the 2015 figure. Unlike 2015, the highest figures for business occupancy were to

be found in February (21%). In 2016, the annual average of percentage of business guests was

the lowest since 2006.

18

21

16 15

12 14

5 5 7

9 10

4

8

0

5

10

15

20

25

J F M A M J J A S O N D Ann Av

9

3.6 Occupancy by Size of Hotel

The annual average bed and room occupancy figures by size of hotel for 2016 are presented in Figure3.7

below. Due to the small sample size in this category there is no analysis presented for hotels with 1-3

rooms. The monthly bed and room occupancy levels for each of the size categories used in the

analysis are detailed in Appendix 1b and 1c of this report.

Figure 3.7 – Hotels – Annual Occupancy by Size of Hotel - 2016 (%)

Variations by hotel size were more evident for annual average room occupancy than for bed occupancy

in 2016, with the rates for the three smallest size bands being 50, 57 and 59 while the two

remaining size bands had rates of 7 2 and 77% - it is likely that larger establishments attracted a

higher proportion of business occupants in which case rooms are more likely to have been occupied by a

single guest.

The difference between the annual average bed and room occupancy rates was greatest for the largest

establishments (24 percentage points) – the other size categories showing a difference of between 8 and

15 percentage points.

Table 3.5 – Hotels – Trends in Annual Room Occupancy Rates by Size of Hotel

Annual Average Room Occupancy (%)

No. of rooms 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

4-10 47 46 40 40 45 52 49 52 58 56 50

11-25 53 54 53 55 53 54 51 52 57 59 57

26-50 58 61 62 58 57 56 62 59 61 63 59

51-100 62 64 66 63 66 65 65 65 68 70 72

101+ 71 68 67 69 68 63 64 71 75 77 77

40

49 44

63

53 50

57 59

72 77

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

4-10 rooms 11-25 rooms 26-50 rooms 51-100 rooms 101+ rooms


10

Compared with 2015, there had been more of a decrease in the annual average room occupancy rate in

2016 than was witnessed in 2015. With the exception of the 51-100 rooms category (where annual

average room occupancy had increased by 2 percentage points), the annual average room occupancy

for all size categories had decreased between 2 and 6 percentage points. Since 2006, the two largest

size bands had seen the biggest increases of 10 and 6 percentage points.

3.7 Occupancy by Tariff

The tariff figures used in the survey relate to the amount charged per person for a double or twin

room, including breakfast. The monthly bed occupancy levels for each of the tariff categories used in the

analysis are detailed in Appendix 1b and 1c of this section of the report.

Figure 3.8 below shows annual bed and room occupancy figures by tariff for 2016. There are no

figures for hotels with a tariff of less than £20 as there were no establishments in this tariff band in the

sample in 2016.

Figure 3.8 – Hotels – Annual Occupancy by Tariff of Hotel – 2016 (%)

Unlike 2015, w h e n there was a general correlation between occupancy rates and tariff with the

highest annual average occupancy rates (70% room and 54% bed) being recorded for hotels charging

£60 or more, in 2016 the £40-£49.99 tariff band recorded the highest room occupancy at 72%.

35

48 46

53

43

72

59

69

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

£30-£39.99 £40-£49.99 £50 - £59.99 £60 +


11

Table 3.6 - Hotels – Trends in Annual Room Occupancy Rates by Tariff of Hotel (%)


2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

£30-£39.99 47 48 45 43 45 46 49 49 48 49 43

£40-£49.99 44 53 51 51 55 59 58 57 59 64 72

£50-£59.99 62 62 59 54 59 60 57 56 62 61 59

£60+ 61 63 64 63 61 60 61 64 68 70 69

The annual average room occupancy rate for those in the lowest tariff band has remained relatively

consistent over the period under review, although figures for 2016 were the lowest since 2009 (43%).

3.8 Occupancy by Location

Occupancy rates were analysed according to the location of the hotel - in a city/large town, in a small

town, at the seaside or in the countryside/village. The monthly bed and room occupancy levels for each

of the location categories are detailed in Appendix 1b and 1c to this report.

Figure 3.9 – Hotels – Annual Occupancy by Location of Hotel - 2016 (%)

Establishments in seaside areas recorded the highest annual average bed occupancy rate (50%),

closely followed by city/large town areas (48%). The lowest rate was found in small town and

countryside/village locations, where the annual occupancy for both areas was 46% and 47%

respectively.

It was establishments in cities/ large towns that recorded the highest annual average room occupancy

rate (68%) which compares with 60% in country/village locations, 59% in seaside locations and 58% in

small town locations. Establishments in cities/ large towns were more likely to attract business guests

and, in turn, to have a greater proportion of rooms occupied by a single guest leading to a greater

difference between room and bed occupancy rates.

48 50 46 47

68

59 58 60

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

City/large town Seaside Small town Country/village


12

Table 3.7 – Hotels - Trends in Annual Room Occupancy Rates by Location of Hotel (%)

Annual Room Occupancy

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

City/large town 71 71 71 69 66 62 64 69 65 69 68

Small town 57 57 53 55 61 59 61 60 56 60 58

Seaside 57 62 60 58 59 60 59 60 63 64 59

Countryside/

village 53 52 53 52 53 55 53 52 58 59 60

Between 2012 and 2015, establishments in cities/ large towns recorded an increase of five percentage

points in their annual average room occupancy rate, which rose from 64% to 69% and then fell by 1

percentage point in 2016. Small towns saw a fall to 56% in 2014 with a subsequent rise to 60% in

2015, falling again to 58% in 2016, while hotels in both country/village locations have risen consistently

over the last 3 years. Seaside locations fared less well with a fall of five percentage points since the high

of 64% in 2015.

3.9 Occupancy by Grading

Since 1999, occupancy rates for hotels have been analysed according to their grading under the Star

Grading Scheme administered by Visit Wales. There is no analysis presented for 1 star graded hotels as

there were no hotels with this grading in the sample in 2016.

The monthly bed and room occupancy levels for each of the grading categories are to be found in

Appendix 1b and 1c of this report.

Figure 3.10 – Hotels – Annual Occupancy by Grading of Hotel – 2016 (%)

32

64

49 48

66

41

78

63 61

70

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Not graded 2 star 3 star 4 star 5 star


13

As in previous years, hotels not graded within the Visit Wales grading scheme recorded considerably

lower annual average figures for both bed and room occupancy rates in 2016 than graded

establishments. The highest annual average bed and room occupancy rates were recorded by

establishments with a 2-star grading (64% and 78%). 3 and 4-star hotels achieved similar room and

bedspace occupancy rates (63% and 61% and 49% and 48% respectively). 5-star hotels saw little

difference in room and bedspace occupancy 66% bed and 70% room occupancy.

Table 3.8 – Hotels - Trends in Annual Room Occupancy Rates by Grading of Hotel (%)

Annual Room Occupancy

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Not graded 36 42 51 46 53 54 53 62 48 42 41

2 stars 58 56 61 59 59 64 64 65 84 84 78

3 stars 59 60 61 58 58 57 59 59 60 63 63

4 stars 61 61 57 64 64 60 60 58 65 64 61

5 stars 57 65 62 68 67 73 77 74 65 67 70

Over the period 2006 - 2016, the annual average room occupancy rate for establishments with a 3-star

grading showed the greatest consistency with this grade being in the range 57-63% over this period of

time. Rates for hotels with 5 stars reached a peak of 77% in 2012, declined to 65% in 2014 and have

risen to 70% in 2016. 2- star hotels have experienced a considerable degree of fluctuation in their

annual room occupancy rates recording an increase of 20 percentage points on their 2006 rates.

Rates for ungraded establishments continue to fluctuate over the years. Their highest level was achieved

in 2013 at 62%. In the last two years this has fallen considerably, down 21 percentage points to 41% in

2016.

.

14

4 Guest Houses/ B&Bs

This section presents the monthly and annual average bed and room occupancy levels for Guest

Houses/ B&Bs.

4.1 Annual Average Bed and Room Occupancy

The annual average bed occupancy rate for Guest Houses/B&Bs rose from 31% in 2015 to 35% in

2016, with room occupancy rates rising from 37% to 39%.

Figure 4.1 Guest Houses/B&Bs – Trends in Occupancy Rates – Annual Averages (%)

Room occupancy is almost back to the levels seen in 2007 (40%) while bedspace occupancy is at its highest

since the period under review. However, it should be noted that the sample size for guesthouse/B&B’s has

declined over the last two or three years and may affect the trend results shown.

34 33 29 30 29 28 27 28 27

31 35

43 40

37 38 37 34 34 35 33

37 39

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016


15


The 2016 monthly bed and room occupancy rates together with the annual averages for the guest

house and bed and breakfast sector in 2016 are presented in Figure 4.2 below.

Figure 4.2 - Guest Houses/B&Bs - Monthly Bed & Room Occupancy - 2016 (%)

The continued seasonality of the Guest House/B&B sector in Wales remains evident in 2016. The

average bed occupancy rate was16% in January, rising to its peak of 58% in August and ending the

year with a rate of 20% in December 2016. The average room occupancy rate also followed a

similar pattern, rising from 20% in January to 63% in August and then falling back to 23% in December.

Table 4.1 - Guest Houses/B&Bs - Trends in Room Occupancy Rates - Monthly Averages (%)

Room occupancy

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 17 19 18 17 15 13 14 12 14 16

20

February 27 27 26 25 24 19 19 21 18 18

22

March 28 29 30 27 27 24 28 26 23 27

31

April 42 40 34 38 38 39 36 30 32 34 36

May 52 49 46 45 42 41 42 44 41 43 46

June 57 50 45 48 50 49 48 44 43 50 48

July 65 54 54 54 53 50 49 55 51 61 59

August 71 66 59 59 57 59 53 57 57 59 63

September 56 51 47 51 50 45 48 45 46 47 50

October 43 39 38 39 39 29 32 30 30 37 37

November 24 28 27 25 25 25 19 20 22 22 25

December 20 27 19 21 21 18 13 13 19 20 23

Annual Average

44 43 40 37 38 37 34 34 35 37 39

16 19

26

31

41 43

50

58

43

31

21 20

35

20 22

31 36

46 48

59 63

50

37

25 23

39

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80



16

37

26 28

42

35

40

29

40

47

39

0

10

20

30

40

50

60



Increases in room occupancy were recorded for nine out of the twelve months in 2016 when

compared with 2015, with the exception of June and July where the occupancy rates had fallen by

two percentage points respectively and in October where it had remained at their 2015 levels.

The biggest increases were recorded in January, February, March and August up by four

percentage points each, with August recording the highest monthly occupancy rate since

2007. The annual average room occupancy in 2016 was highest since 2008.

Trends in monthly bed occupancy rates are presented in Appendix 2a.

4.3 Regional Occupancy Rates Figure 4.3 below presents the annual average bed and room occupancy rates for guest houses and

bed and breakfast establishments for each region of Wales in 2016. The monthly bed and room

occupancy rates for each area are presented in Appendix 2b and 2c of this report.

Figure 4.3 - Guest Houses/ B&Bs - Annual Average (%) by Regions of Wales – 2016

As in previous years, the annual average bed and room occupancy rates were highest in South West

Wales where averages of 42% and 47% respectively were recorded for establishments in this region.

This contrasts with Mid Wales where the annual average bed occupancy rate was 26% and for room

occupancy was 29%.

17

Table 4.2 - Guest Houses/B&Bs - Trends in Room Occupancy Rates by Regions of Wales (%)

Room occupancy

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

North Wales 43 41 35 39 39 35 31 35 35 35 40

Mid Wales 33 33 29 33 32 34 32 32 27 32 29

South East

Wales 49 46 43 40 38 25 31 28 32 42 40

South West

Wales 48 43 43 39 39 37 40 43 40 43 47

All Wales 43 40 37 38 37 34 34 35 33 37 39

As shown in Table 4.2, the annual average room occupancy rates in North Wales and South West Wales

rose from 35% and 43% in 2015 to 40% and 47% in 2016, an increase of 5 and 4 percentage points

each. Both Mid Wales and the South East saw a fall of 3 and 2 percentage points respectively. The

average room occupancy rate for all Wales at 39%, was at its highest since 2007.

4.4 Percentage of Overseas Guests

Figure 4.4 - Guest Houses/B&Bs - Percentage of Overseas Bednights - 2016 (%)

As detailed in section 3.4, there was a change in 2008 in the way that data for overseas guests was

collected, with the forms updated to make them more focused and efficient. In previous years,

establishments had been asked to provide information on the number of new arrivals for each day

(both UK and overseas) and the percentage of overseas guests based on the total number of

arrivals was presented. This information is now not collected, so consequently, the proportion of

overseas stays is presented as a percentage of overseas bed nights (based on total bed nights).

In light of these changes and to ensure consistency that overseas figures across years are compared

based on the same methodological process, the amount of trended information presented for overseas

guests has been reduced and the focus in this report is on the latest 2009 to 2016 results.

The summer months (May to August) were the peak months for overseas visitors, reaching a height of

18% in July. The lowest rates were seen in March (3%) and January and December (4% each).

4

10

3

10

13 13

18 16

10 12

9

4

12

02468

101214161820


18

Table 4.3 - Guest Houses/B&Bs - Trends in Percentage of Overseas Bednights

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 13 10 5 11 5 6 8 4

February 9 7 7 12 9 8 11 10

March 6 7 5 9 10 5 6 3

April 8 10 10 10 13 9 8 10

May 9 12 11 12 12 13 13 13

June 14 11 12 13 14 16 15 13

July 17 15 16 17 17 17 17 18

August 14 12 12 13 14 15 15 16

September 9 12 10 11 13 12 12 10

October 10 10 9 6 10 5 8 12

November 7 11 7 6 9 7 7 9

December 9 16 3 6 10 19 8 4

Annual average 11 12 11 11 13 11 12 12

Over the past eight years, the percentage of overseas bednights has remained fairly consistent,

particularly during the summer months from May to September. April, May, July, August, October and

November saw a rise in the percentage of overseas bednights or stayed at the 2015 level. The

remaining 6 months saw a decline in overseas bednights ranging from 2-4 percentage points.

Figure 4.5 - Guest Houses/B&Bs - Percentage of Overseas Guests by Region 2010 –2016 (%)

North, Mid and South West Wales have all recorded comparatively little variation in the percentage of

overseas guests during the past seven years, although the North saw an increase of 4 percentage points,

up from 11% in 2015 to 15% in 2016. Over the period in question, South East Wales recorded high

values of up to 24% in 2013 but has dropped to almost half that amount in 2016 with the percentage of

overseas guests in this region down to 13%, a similar level to all other regions across Wales.

8

10

18

13 12

10 10 10

12 11

9

12 13

12 11

9

12

24

11

13

11 10

23

11 12

11 11

18

12 12

15

10

13

10

12

0

5

10

15

20

25


2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

19

4.5 Percentage of Business Guests

Guest house and B&B operators were asked to record the number of guests staying for business

purposes. Please note that not all participants provided this information.

Table 4.4 - Guest Houses/B&Bs - Percentage of Business Guests – 2012 - 2016 (%)

Percentage of Business Guests

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 50 58 47 40 24

February 42 30 40 18 22

March 23 24 18 22 13

April 16 20 10 11 15

May 15 10 6 9 7

June 14 12 7 8 8

July 10 7 12 7 5

August 12 6 8 8 5

September 16 12 12 6 7

October 29 21 16 5 8

November 37 38 20 20 24

December 30 28 37 17 15

Annual average 20 15 14 11 12

The annual average for business occupancy in the GH/B&B sector in Wales has been variable over the

last five years, from a high of 20% in 2012 and falling to 12% in 2016. This pattern mirrors the fall in

business guests in the hotel sector. As shown in Table 4.4 (above), this overall variation covers some

even larger variations when analysed on a monthly basis.

The average business occupancy rate for 2016 was similar to that of 2015. The only months to show an

increase on the previous year were February, April, September. October and November (+4, 4, 1, 3 and

4 percentage points respectively). In the remaining months of 2016 the business rates recorded were

among the lowest achieved since 2012, with January halving the level reached in 2012.

Figure 4.6 shows the percentage of business guests for the individual regions from 2012 - 2016.

Again, please note that not all participants supplied this information, and, therefore, results are more

variable than overall occupancy rates.

20

Figure 4.6 - Guest Houses/B&Bs - Annual Average Percentage of Business Guests by Region

2012– 2016 (%)

The annual average percentages of business guests across all regions have been varied over the past

five years with the trends generally showing a fall in the proportion of business guests across all regions.

Regions in the South of Wales have shown greater variation over this time period. When comparing 2016

figures with those of 2015, the annual percentage of business guests has shown a small rise in all but

the South-East region, with an increase of 1 percentage point in North and Mid Wales and 2 percentage

points in the South West.

4.6 Occupancy by Size

As the sample size in the larger size categories was small, occupancy rates are only presented for two

categories of Guest Houses/B&Bs: 1-3 rooms and 4-10 rooms. The monthly average bed and room

occupancy figures by size of Guest Houses/B&Bs are presented in Appendix 2b and 2c.

Figure 4.7 - Guest Houses/B&Bs - Annual Occupancy by Size of Guest House/B&B - 2016 (%)

17 18

40

12

20 16 16

28

8

15 13 12

34

8

14

6 9

33

5

11 7

10

25

7

12

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

North Wales Mid Wales South East South West All Wales

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

31

35 32

42

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1-3 rooms 4 -10 rooms


21

As shown in Figure 4.7, the annual average room occupancy rates were 10 percentage points higher

in the establishments with 4-10 rooms (42%) than in the smaller 1-3 room category (32%). There was

less noticeable difference in bedspace occupancy with the 4-10 size establishments at 35% compared

with 31% in the 1-3 room establishment.

Table 4.5 - Guest Houses/B&Bs - Trends in Annual Room Occupancy Rates by Size of Guest House/B&B (%)


2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

1-3 rooms 34 33 31 30 32 27 29 33 32 32 32

4-10 rooms 47 47 40 43 40 37 36 36 34 40 42

The larger 4-10 category rose by 2 percentage points when compared with the annual average in 2015,

at its highest level since 2009. The figure for the 1-3 category has remained fairly consistent over the last

4 years with 2016 remaining at the same levels as seen in 2014 and 2015. However, looking at the

period shown, both size categories have shown a fall when compared with the figures shown in 2006 (of

2 percentage points for those with 1-3 rooms and of 5 percentage points for the larger size category).


As in the hotel survey, the tariff figures used in the survey relate to the amount charged per person for a

double or twin room, including breakfast. The monthly bed and room occupancy levels for each of the

tariff categories used in the analysis are detailed in Appendix 2b and 2c of the report. It should be noted

that due to the sample size, results are only presented for those establishments with a tariff of more

than £20 and are not presented for those charging £60 or more.

Figure 4.8 - Guest Houses/B&Bs - Annual Occupancy by Tariff of Guest House/B&B – 2016 (%)

The annual average occupancy rates shown in Figure 4.8 show a general correlation between tariff

and occupancy rates. Establishments charging £20-£29.99 recorded an annual average bed occupancy

20

29

37 35

24

38 40

44

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

£20-£29.99 £30-£39.99 £40-£49.99 £50-£59.99


22

rate of 20% and an annual average room occupancy rate of 24% in 2016, which compares to rates of

35% (bed occupancy) and 44% (room occupancy) for those charging £50-£59.99. The rates for the £40-

£49.00 tariff band in 2016 were similar to the largest tariff band, with lower levels of room occupancy but

higher bed occupancy.

Figure 4.9 Guest Houses/B&Bs - Trends in Annual Room Occupancy Rates by Tariff of Guest

Houses/B&Bs (%)

Table 4.6 Guest Houses/B&Bs - Trends in Annual Room Occupancy Rates by Tariff of Guest

Houses/B&Bs (%)

Annual Average Room Occupancy by Tariff of Guesthouses/B&Bs

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

£20-£29.99 41 37 32 30 28 24 28 22 15 32 24

£30.£39.99 43 41 38 37 37 35 35 34 33 35 38

£40-£49.99 * * 49 45 38 35 35 34 32 34 40

£50-£59.99 * * * * 54 34 * 40 39 40 44

* sample size too small to present data

Annual average room occupancy rates have shown a general decline since 2006 for each of the tariff

bands, apart from the larger £50-£59.99 category but it should be noted that sample sizes for

establishments charging £40-£49.99 and £50-£59.99 have not always been large enough to allow this

analysis to be presented. However, excluding the smallest tariff band, all other bands had seen a rise in the

annual average room occupancy during 2016, ranging from 3-6 percentage points.

4.8 Occupancy by Location Occupancy rates were analysed according to the location of the Guest House/B&Bs - in a city/large

town, in a small town, at the seaside or in a countryside/village location. The monthly bed and room

occupancy levels for each type of location are presented in Appendix 2b and 2c.

41 43

37 41

32

38

49

30

37

45

28

37 38

54

24

35 35 34

28

35 35

22

34 34

40

15

33 32

39

32 35 34

40

24

38 40

44

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

£20-£29.99 £30-£39.99 £40-£49.99 £50-£59.99

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

23

Figure 4.10 - Guest Houses/B&Bs - Annual Occupancy by Location – 2016 (%)

The highest annual average bed and room occupancy rate in 2016 was recorded for establishments in

small town locations (44% and 55% respectively). Establishments in large towns/city locations recorded

an annual bed occupancy average of 42% and 50% for room occupancy while the occupancy rates in

seaside and countryside/village locations were relatively lower.

Table 4.7 - Guest Houses/B&Bs - Trends in Annual Room Occupancy Rates by Location of

Guest House/B&B (%)


2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

City/large town 67 64 57 54 42 * 45 * 50 50 50

Small town 41 40 38 40 37 44 43 41 42 53 55

Seaside 47 46 44 42 46 42 36 40 37 38 42

Countryside/

village 40 36 33 33 34 30 31 32 30 34 37

* sample size too small to present data

With the exception of small towns, all other locations have seen a fall of between 3 and 17 percentage

points in the annual average room occupancy rate since 2006. Small towns have seen a rise of 14

percentage points in this period with 2016 seeing the highest room occupancy for this type of location

over the period in question. In seaside locations room occupancy decreased between 2011 and 2014

(from 42% to 37%), rose in 2013 to 40% but fell back to 38% in 2015. The annual average room

occupancy rate for establishments in country/ village locations has been the most consistent since 2008

(in the range 30%-34%), with 2016 showing the highest levels of room occupancy since 2007.


As with hotels, occupancy rates for Guest House/B&Bs were analysed according to their grading

under the Star Grading Scheme administered by Visit Wales.

36

31

44 42 42

37

55

50

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Seaside Country/village Small town Large town/city


24

Figure 4.11 presents annual bed and room occupancy figures by grading for 2016. As there was a

very small sample size for establishments with 1 or 2 stars, there are no figures available for these

grading categories. Please note also that not all establishments supply grading information and that

therefore the overall sample size is smaller than for other analysis categories.

Figure 4.11 - Guest Houses/B&Bs - Occupancy by Grading of Guest House/B&B - 2016 (%)

As in previous years, a correlation between grading and occupancy levels was recorded in 2016.

Guest Houses/B&Bs that were not graded recorded an annual bed occupancy rate of 20% and an

annual room occupancy rate of 22%, both of which are significantly lower than those recorded for graded

establishments of 3 stars and above.

Within the Visit Wales grading scheme, the annual average bed occupancy rates for 2016 increased in

correlation with the number of stars that establishments in each category had been awarded. 3-star

establishments recorded an annual bed occupancy average of 30% compared to 39% for those with a 4-

star grading, rising to 40% for 5 star graded properties.

Table 4.8 - Guest Houses/B&Bs - Trends in Annual Room Occupancy Rates by Grading (%)


2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Not graded 36 36 34 22 26 24 19 26 22 23 22

3 Stars 43 38 35 38 36 31 32 31 34 37 40

4 Stars 45 43 40 38 39 36 37 37 33 37 43

5 Stars - - 41 48 43 35 32 36 39 46 47

Across all grading types, there was an increase in the annual average room occupancy rates in 2016,

with the figure for 5-star properties (47%) being the highest since the 2009 figure of 48%. Generally,

non-graded establishments continue to fare less well than properties with a star grading, witnessing a

continued decline over the last 3 years from 26% in 2013 to 22% in 2016.

20

30

39 40

22

40 43

47

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Not graded 3 star 4 star 5 star


25

5 All Serviced Accommodation

This section of the report presents the monthly and annual average bed and room occupancy

levels for all the various types of serviced accommodation i.e. Hotels, Guest Houses and B&Bs.

Please note that, from 2014, hotel data includes data from STR Global for larger hotels with 100+

rooms.

5.1 Average Bed and Room Occupancy

The annual average bed occupancy rate for all serviced accommodation across Wales in 2016 was

47%, while the annual average room occupancy rate was 61%.

Figure 5.1 – Serviced Accommodation - Trends in Occupancy Rates - Annual Averages (%)

After a four-year period (2008 to 2011) in which a rate of 38% was recorded for annual average

bed occupancy, the next four years saw the rate rise to 47% (a rise of 9 percentage points), a level

which was maintained in 2016. The annual average room occupancy rate also showed a great

degree of consistency over the period 2008 to 2012 with a rate of 52% recorded each year.

Since 2012 the annual average room occupancy increased each year to reach 62% in 2015 but fell to

61% in 2016.

42 41 38 38 38 38 39 40

45 47 47

56 54 52 52 52 52 52 54 60 62 61

-5

5

15

25

35

45

55

65

75

85

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016


26


The monthly bed and room occupancy rates along with the annual averages recorded for all serviced

accommodation are presented in Figure 5.2 below.

Figure 5.2 – Serviced Accommodation - Monthly Bed & Room Occupancy - 2016 (%)

As mentioned previously in sections 3 and 4, the seasonality of seasonality of serviced accommodation

remained evident in 2016. For the combined sector, the bed and room occupancy rates peaked in

July and August 2016 when rates of 58 and 63% (bed occupancy) and 73 and 77% (room occupancy)

were recorded. Lower levels were recorded outside the main summer season with the lowest averages

recorded in January 2016 - 32% (bed occupancy) and 43% (room occupancy).

5.3 Percentage of Overseas Guests Operators are asked to identify the number of guests staying in their establishment each night by

nationality - UK and overseas - on their monthly occupancy form. It should be noted that not all

respondents provide this information, therefore, results should be treated with caution.

From the start of 2008, arrivals information for both UK and overseas guests was no longer collected,

which has affected the way in which data for overseas guests has been calculated. Previously,

establishments were asked to provide information on the number of new arrivals for each day (both

UK and overseas) and the percentage of overseas guests was based on the total number of arrivals.

This arrivals information is now not collected, and consequently the proportion of overseas stays is

now presented as a percentage of bednights (based on total bednights).

In the light of these changes and to ensure consistency in the way that overseas figures across years are

compared based on the same methodological process, the amount of trended information presented for

overseas guests has been reduced and the focus in this report is on 2009 to 2016 results (overleaf).

32 39 41 45

47 51 58

63 56

48 40 40

47 43

51 55 58 61

67 73

77 72

63 56

51

61

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80



27

Table 5.1 – Serviced Accommodation - All Serviced Accommodation - Percentage of Overseas

Bednights – 2009 - 2016 (%)

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 7 6 6 6 4 3 3 2

February 6 5 5 4 4 3 3

7

March 5 5 5 5 5 3 3

4

5

April 5 6 6 5 7 5 4

7

May 6 8 8 7 8 8 8 8

June 8 8 8 6 9 9 8

8

July 10 10 10 10 12 10 11 11

August 8 8 8 9 10 9 8 10

September 6 8 6 7 9 6 6 6

October 6 7 5 4 6 5 5 6

November 5 7 5 3 3 3 4 4

December 4 7 3 4 7 5 3 2

Annual average 7 7 7 6 8 6 6 7

The annual average percentage of overseas guests has shown a high degree of consistency over the

years, with the rates recorded between 2009 and 2016 in the range 6%-8%. However, during this

time period there have been variations recorded by month. During 2016, five months (May, June, July,

September and November) remained at their 2015. February, March, April, August and October

recorded increases (varying from 4 percentage points in February to 1 percentage point in October)

with January and December showing a fall of 1 percentage point. The annual average of 7% was 1

percentage point higher than that of 2015.

.

28

6 Self-catering Cottages & Apartments This section outlines the key occupancy results for self-catering accommodation (cottages and

apartments) and summarises the information obtained from a sample of verified independent operators

and agencies offering accommodation of this type in Wales. The sample was designed to be largely

representative of the range of furnished accommodation let through such operators. Occupancy is

measured at the individual property level by expressing the number of weeks let each month as a

proportion of the weeks and units available to rent.

6.1 Monthly Unit Occupancy

Figure 6.12 and table 6.1 below presents annual unit occupancy rates for 2008 to 2016 across both

independent and agency operators.

Figure 6.12 – Self-Catering Unit Occupancy

When comparing all self-catering unit occupancy with independents and agencies, agency led properties

outperformed independent operators during the period 2011 – 2016. However, it should be noted that the

sample for large agencies has increased over the last two to three years with the inclusion of other large

agency data.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Unit Occupancy Independents Agencies

29

The annual average unit occupancy was 52% in 2016, two percentage points higher than in 2015. As

with the serviced sectors, self-catering accommodation also continued to demonstrate seasonality in

the average unit occupancy rates recorded for each month in 2016. A unit occupancy rate of 27% was

recorded in January, which rose to a peak of 90% in August before falling to 37% in December.

Table 6.1 - Self-catering - Cottages and Apartments ALL (%)

Average Unit Occupancy

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 24 20 17 29 32 28 24 31 27

February 37 43 34 42 41 36 42 40 36

March 39 41 37 38 45 43 38 34 44

April 48 51 49 63 55 46 53 51 50

May 54 55 53 65 48 59 57 57 56

June 57 56 60 65 65 56 55 57 62

July 64 67 67 71 68 68 72 74 75

August 81 75 81 85 81 82 87 87 90

September 62 61 60 72 64 65 59 65 67

October 50 45 31 55 50 53 51 52 48

November 25 22 22 31 36 30 31 35 39

December 36 48 35 32 38 33 41 35 37

May - October ave 61 60 59 69 63 64 63 63 66

Annual average 48 50 45 54 53 50 51 50 52

There were several variations in the rates recorded when compared with 2015. An increase of ten

percentage points was recorded in March 2016, with an increase of five percentage points in June and

smaller increases in July, August, September and November. A decrease of four percentage points was

experienced in January and February, with smaller decreases in April, May, July and October.

Following the trend of previous years, the August figure of 90% was again the highest of the period under

review (2008 to 2016).

The 2016 annual and May-October figures were higher than those of 2008, as were those for every

month except for February and October (where the decreases were 1 and 2 percentage points

respectively), with the greatest increases being seen in July and November (of 11 and 14 percentage

points respectively).

30

Table 6.2 below presents the annual 2016 occupancy rates for independent operators. As explained

earlier in the report, data from 2008 to 2016 has also been provided to illustrate trends over several

years.

Table 6.2 - Self-catering - Cottages and Apartments (Independently Let) (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 23 24 22 24 22 26 23 36 27

February 40 39 34 39 32 36 37 42 38

March 43 37 36 32 31 36 31 33 37

April 48 55 56 62 53 47 50 50 46

May 61 62 58 60 46 53 52 51 50

June 67 70 67 59 62 53 53 58 57

July 76 80 73 69 67 64 68 71 66

August 87 88 86 87 79 78 83 78 79

September 69 72 67 69 62 59 53 63 64

October 52 55 49 48 47 47 46 50 50

November 26 27 27 25 32 25 26 27 33

December 42 36 34 30 31 32 34 37 36

May - October ave 69 71 67 65 61 59 59 62 60

Annual average 53 54 51 50 49 46 46 50 46

Compared with 2008, both the 2016 annual average and the 2016 May – October average were below

those of 2008 (by 7 and 9 percentage points respectively). Month on month the 2016 figures were higher

in January, November and December (by up to 6 percentage points) and lower in the remaining nine

months (by up to 11 percentage points in May).

Table 6.3 presents annual occupancy figures for self-catering accommodation let by agencies for 2008 to

2016.

Agency let properties had relatively stable annual average unit occupancy rates between 2011 and 2013,

with the annual average unit occupancy rate in the range 57%-58%. Figures since then have been more

unstable, rising to 61% in 2014, falling to 50% in 2015 before rising to 53% in 2016.

31

Table 6.3 - Self-catering - Cottages and Apartments – (Agency Let) (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 24 16 13 34 41 30 27 30 27

February 36 45 35 46 48 35 58 39 36

March 35 44 39 44 57 56 55 34 47

April 47 49 44 64 58 46 61 52 51

May 51 52 49 69 52 68 68 60 58

June 51 43 56 70 70 61 58 56 63

July 59 54 64 73 69 73 80 75 76

August 78 63 78 84 83 87 95 90 90

September 58 51 56 75 68 74 72 66 67

October 44 36 21 62 56 63 62 53 48

November 23 17 20 40 42 40 43 38 41

December 29 57 38 34 50 35 59 35 37

May - October Ave 57 50 54 72 66 71 72 63 67

Annual average 45 44 43 58 58 57 61 50 53

When compared with the 2015 monthly averages, the 2016 figures showed an increase in March, June,

July, September, November and December, with the increases varying from 1 percentage point in July

and September to 13 percentage points in March and June. The August occupancy rate of 90% was the

same as in 2015, while decreases (of up to 5 percentage points) occurred in January, February, April,

May and October. In comparison with 2008, 2016 saw increases in eleven months (of up to 18

percentage points) with those of February being the same as in 2008.

It is important to note that the number of properties that data is submitted for by agency participants is

variable from year to year and therefore the monthly occupancy rates tend to show a reasonable

degree of variation between years. In 2016, the inclusion of data from 2 or 3 more self-catering agencies

may have contributed to the increase in occupancy rates since this period.

32

6.2 Regional trends

This section of the report summarises the occupancy levels across the different regions of Wales for cottages

and apartments from 2008 to 2016.

Figure 6.13 – Self-Catering Unit Occupancy – Regional Trends – All – Annual Average 2016

Compared with Wales as a whole, self-catering unit occupancy in the North was 2 percentage points

higher than the regional average for 2016. Both Mid Wales and the South West were on a par with the

regional average but unit occupancy in the South East was considerably lower (6 percentage points)

Table 6.4 - Self-catering - North Wales - ALL(%) Average Unit Occupancy

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 21 29 23 33 35 30 28 40 25

February 41 38 44 45 40 37 54 46 36

March 36 38 42 42 45 52 50 42 50

April 49 58 61 63 58 47 62 58 55

May 49 66 67 69 53 67 66 66 62

June 56 70 69 69 69 61 61 59 68

July 59 81 74 73 68 73 78 80 80

August 68 89 85 85 83 88 92 91 91

September 56 77 75 75 68 72 69 73 69

October 48 60 58 60 55 61 60 62 45

November 23 38 36 35 41 38 42 39 42

December 32 44 37 33 47 35 53 27 35

May - October ave 56 74 71 72 66 71 71 72 69

Annual average 45 57 56 57 56 55 59 57 54

In North Wales the annual average unit occupancy rate for 2016 decreased by three percentage

points, wh e n c o m p ar e d w i t h 2 0 1 5 , while the May-October figure increased by two percentage

54 51

46

52 52

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

North Mid South East South West All Wales

Unit Occupancy

33

points. Comparisons across the period 2008 – 2016 show that the annual average had increased by

nine percentage points and the May-October average by thirteen percentage points.

Table 6.5 - Self-Catering – North Wales - Independent (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 25 31 23 31 25 35 26 34 31

February 42 40 44 42 36 41 42 41 47

March 45 38 39 31 38 39 31 42 40

April 47 53 61 62 57 53 62 64 53

May 61 71 68 68 58 64 55 66 54

June 70 74 73 62 69 62 63 58 63

July 76 85 78 72 65 71 70 76 71

August 85 88 86 87 81 86 85 80 89

September 72 82 73 75 61 63 59 65 61

October 52 68 57 55 47 56 49 56 66

November 25 38 31 24 34 26 27 25 34

December 38 38 36 30 28 33 32 38 38

May - October ave 69 78 72 70 64 67 64 67 66

Annual average 53 59 56 53 49 51 51 54 51

Both the annual and May-October averages showed a fall (of 3 and 1 percentage points respectively) when

compared with 2015, remained significantly lower than the peak year of 2009 and marginally lower than

those of 2008.

Table 6.6 - Self-Catering – North Wales - Agency (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January * * * * * * * 41 24

February *

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

47 34

March * * * * * * * 42 51

April * * * * * * * 57 55

May * * * * * * * 66 63

June * * * * * * * 58 68

July * * * * * * * 81 81

August * * * * * * * 93 91

September * * * * * * * 75 69

October * * * * * * * 63 43

November * * * * * * * 41 43

December * * * * * * * 24 35

May - October ave * * * * * * * 73 69

Annual average * * * * * * * 57 54 *Agency data not available for years prior to 2015

34

Table 6.7 - Self-catering - Mid Wales 2008 – 2016 – ALL (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 6 12 12 18 18 21 14 25 28

February 18 51 32 38 32 31 23 35 34

March 32 47 38 28 31 39 20 37 41

April 46 38 44 65 55 44 49 48 49

May 63 38 47 56 46 54 40 56 52

June 65 39 55 61 66 55 44 53 59

July 61 50 64 70 73 65 65 71 72

August 84 60 78 91 86 82 82 87 87

September 68 46 52 71 65 63 49 65 62

October 54 33 16 51 47 46 46 51 52

November 27 13 18 28 30 23 13 32 38

December 46 54 37 34 32 23 30 35 39

May - October ave 66 44 52 67 64 61 54 64 64

Annual average 48 43 41 51 49 46 39 50 51

The annual average unit occupancy rate in this region was 51% in 2016, compared with 50% in 2015 and

39% in 2014. The May – October rate remained at its 2015 level (64%), having risen from 54% in 2014.).

Comparing the monthly figures for 2015 and 2016, only February, May and September recorded a decrease

in occupancy (of 1, 4 and 3 percentage points respectively) with the August figure being unchanged and the

remaining months showing increases of between one and six percentage points).

The 2008 annual average of 48% was three percentage points below that of 2016, while the 2008 May –

October average was two percentage points higher than that of 2016. When the monthly 2008 and 2016

figures are compared, the 2016 figures were lower in four months (May, June, September and October - by

up to 11 percentage points) while for the remaining months the higher figures were recorded in 2016 (with

the greatest difference of 22 percentage points being found in January).

35

Table 6.8 - Self-catering - Mid Wales 2008 – 2016 – Independent (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 25 16 16 18 18 19 15 17 18

February 40 40 27 38 33 31 21 24 21

March 41 40 38 28 31 35 18 29 31

April 53 59 60 65 55 43 48 52 46

May 66 64 58 56 46 51 37 56 48

June 63 70 66 61 63 54 45 51 54

July 78 81 74 70 74 65 63 66 62

August 89 91 88 91 86 82 80 83 78

September 68 70 66 71 66 62 46 59 64

October 54 54 44 51 46 43 44 44 44

November 27 23 27 28 29 23 11 18 19

December 46 31 37 34 32 23 26 27 29

May-October ave 70 72 66 67 64 60 53 60 58

Annual average 54 53 50 51 48 44 37 43 41

Both the May – October and the annual averages decreased (by 2 percentage points) when compared with

2015. Six months (January, March, June, September, November and December) recorded an increase (of

between 1 and 5 percentage points), October showed no change (as was also the case in 2015) and the

remaining 5 months saw a decrease (of between 3 and 5 percentage points). When compared with 2008,

2016 figures showed a decrease in every month (with the decreases ranging from 4 -19 percentage points).

Table 6.9 - Self-Catering – Mid Wales - Agency (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January * * * * * * * 23 30

February *

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

* 35 36

March * * * * * * * 38 42

April * * * * * * * 48 49

May * * * * * * * 55 53

June * * * * * * * 54 60

July * * * * * * * 72 73

August * * * * * * * 89 88

September * * * * * * * 62 62

October * * * * * * * 52 53

November * * * * * * * 34 40

December * * * * * * * 39 40

May - October ave * * * * * * * 64 65

Annual average * * * * * * * 51 52

*Agency data not available for years prior to 2015 due to small sample size

36

Table 6.10 - Self-Catering - South East Wales 2008 – 2016 - Independent (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 25 28 54 37 43 40 34 50 35

February 40 28 52 45 54 46 40 42 43

March 41 29 32 36 66 52 44 27 44

April 53 54 53 54 52 52 49 45 42

May 66 46 53 56 53 60 49 54 38

June 63 68 58 56 63 56 50 64 56

July 78 83 67 67 74 66 73 65 60

August 89 83 75 74 73 71 71 59 61

September 68 67 54 57 66 56 53 57 49

October 54 58 57 45 70 66 44 50 41

November 27 38 40 32 46 38 37 31 37

December 46 59 57 38 42 46 38 54 48

May - October ave 70 67 61 59 67 62 57 58 50

Annual average 54 53 55 50 57 54 49 50 44

In 2016, both the annual and May-October average unit occupancy rates for properties in South East

Wales decreased by six and eight percentage points respectively. The average unit occupancy rate rose

in four months (February, March, August and November) with the increases ranging from 1 percentage

point (February) to 17 (March). The greatest decreases were seen in January and May (15 and 16

percentage points respectively).

Comparing the 2008 and 2016 figures, both the annual and May-October averages had decreased – by

ten and twenty percentage points respectively. Only the 2016 figures for January, February, March,

November and December showed an increase when compared with 2008 with decreases of up to 28

percentage points (May) being recorded.

It should be noted that data was not available for self-catering properties let by agencies in the South-East

before 2015 due to a small sample size and variations in sample sizes influenced occupancy rates. In

addition, the number of properties that data is submitted for is variable and therefore, the monthly

occupancy rates have shown a reasonable degree of variation between years.

37

Table 6.11 - Self-Catering – South East Wales – 2015-2016 - Agency (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January * * * * * * * 28 31

February *

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

30 33

March * * * * * * * 36 49

April * * * * * * * 51 43

May * * * * * * * 55 57

June * * * * * * * 53 60

July * * * * * * * 70 76

August * * * * * * * 86 85

September * * * * * * * 65 71

October * * * * * * * 54 43

November * * * * * * * 39 36

December * * * * * * * 36 42

May - October ave * * * * * * * 51 65

Annual average * * * * * * * 64 48 *Agency data not available for years prior to 2015 due to small sample size

Table 6.12 - Self-Catering - South West Wales 2008 – 2016 - Independent (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 16 20 16 17 22 23 21 35 25

February 32 40 25 34 28 32 30 47 34

March 40 36 32 34 29 28 32 34 34

April 44 56 50 61 50 47 48 46 44

May 58 53 52 59 40 48 61 42 51

June 64 67 64 58 60 48 57 58 57

July 74 73 70 66 61 62 68 74 66

August 90 86 87 87 77 76 88 88 80

September 64 65 65 67 58 58 54 68 71

October 44 44 45 41 39 40 46 49 48

November 22 17 20 21 25 22 30 28 33

December 39 29 24 24 23 29 37 28 34

May - October ave 66 65 64 63 56 56 52 62 62

Annual average 49 49 46 48 46 44 48 49 46

In this region, the average annual unit occupancy figure for 2016 showed a decrease of three percentage

points when compared with 2015, while the 2016 May – October figure was the sam e as i n 2015 .

Rises in unit occupancy rates were recorded in four months of 2016, with the greatest rise (9 percentage

points) being seen in May. The 2016 March figure was the same as in 2015 and the remaining seven

38

months showed decreases (of between 1 and 13 percentage points) when compared with 2015.

Comparisons with 2008 show that the 2016 monthly unit occupancy rate was higher in five months

(January, February, September, October and November – by 9, 2, 3, 4 and 11 percentage points

respectively), with the annual rate falling by 3 percentage points and the May – October average falling by 4

percentage points.

Table 6.13 - Self-Catering – South West Wales – 2015-2016 - Agency (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January * * * * * * * 22 29

February *

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

36 39

March * * * * * * * 38 47

April * * * * * * * 50 51

May * * * * * * * 57 55

June * * * * * * * 57 61

July * * * * * * * 70 73

August * * * * * * * 88 94

September * * * * * * * 57 69

October * * * * * * * 56 49

November * * * * * * * 37 40

December * * * * * * * 47 35

May - October ave * * * * * * * 64 67

Annual average * * * * * * * 51 55 *Agency data not available for years prior to 2015 due to small sample size

It should be noted that data was not available for self-catering properties let by agencies in South West

Wales before 2015. In addition, the number of properties that data is submitted for is variable and therefore,

the monthly occupancy rates have shown a reasonable degree of variation between years.

39

6.3 Occupancy by Location Figure 6.14 – Self-Catering Occupancy by Location - Annual Average – 2008- 2016

Across the period in question (2008-2016), the annual average unit occupancy in coastal locations was higher

than unit occupancy in inland locations. 2016 saw the biggest difference in occupancy rates with coastal unit

occupancy 6 percentage points higher than inland (53% compared to 47%).

Table 6.14 - Self-Catering - Coastal Locations – ALL (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 21 24 23 28 39 26 21 34 26

February 44 43 33 44 46 39 41 41 35

March 47 40 39 39 54 45 38 29 45

April 55 51 58 66 57 46 53 54 52

May 66 70 60 71 50 69 64 62 61

June 72 76 72 70 71 60 65 59 67

July 78 85 81 78 71 75 76 85 78

August 93 95 93 92 83 89 91 91 88

September 72 79 77 77 68 72 64 76 70

October 49 58 58 55 48 55 56 57 46

November 23 21 25 25 33 30 33 34 40

December 42 34 29 29 38 34 38 25 33

Annual Average 55 56 54 56 55 54 53 53 53

55 56 54 56 55 54 53 53 53

52 52 49 51 52

49 50 48 47

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Coastal Inland

40

Coastal locations: The 2016 average annual unit occupancy figure was the same as in 2015. Month-

on-month the 2016 figures reached a peak of 88% in August (3 percentage points less than in 2015),

were higher in March, June, November and December, varied little during the shoulder months of April

and May, but were appreciably lower in January, February, July, September and October.

Compared with 2008, the 2016 annual average showed a decrease of two percentage points. Only

November and January showed an increase (of 17 and 5 percentage points respectively). For the

remainder of the year 2016 figures were below those of 2008, except for July when there was no change.

Table 6.15 - Self-Catering - Inland Locations - ALL (%)

Average Unit Occupancy (%)

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 24 21 23 24 28 28 25 40 25

February 41 36 34 41 38 35 43 46 36

March 42 35 36 36 39 43 38 33 44

April 49 60 55 61 54 47 54 53 48

May 60 60 56 63 48 56 55 57 55

June 64 67 62 62 64 55 53 59 64

July 74 76 69 70 67 65 70 72 73

August 86 87 83 82 80 79 85 84 85

September 67 69 63 67 63 62 57 66 68

October 50 50 45 47 52 52 49 52 40

November 24 28 28 29 37 30 31 35 38

December 39 41 35 31 38 33 42 33 36

Annual Average 52 52 49 51 52 49 50 48 47

Inland locations: Inland locations showed a one percentage point fall in the average annual unit

occupancy rate in 2016. Figures for January, February and October fell appreciably (by 15, 10 and 12

percentage points respectively) with April and May experiencing lesser declines. The remaining seven

months showed increases ranging from one percentage point (July and August) to eleven percentage

points (March).

The 2016 annual average was five percentage points lower than in 2008, with rises being recorded only in

January, September and November (of 1, 1 and 14 percentage points respectively). The June figure was

the same as in 2008 but the remaining eight months showed a fall (of up to 10 percentage points).

Comparing 2016 figures for the two types of locations, it is apparent that inland locations have slightly higher

occupancy rates during the winter months (January, February and December) with coastal locations

experiencing higher rates during the rest of the year (with the difference being greatest during May, July and

September).

Please note than the number of properties that data is submitted for is variable and therefore, the

monthly occupancy rates have shown a reasonable degree of variation between years.

41

Table 6.16 - Self-Catering - Coastal Locations - Independent (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 21 25 23 28 21 18 15 23 26

February 44 44 32 44 22 43 25 41 47

March 47 40 39 39 29 33 19 16 29

April 55 51 58 66 51 43 45 43 37

May 67 70 60 71 44 56 55 48 54

June 72 76 72 70 67 49 64 55 55

July 78 85 81 78 65 69 69 83 68

August 93 95 93 92 78 87 88 82 82

September 72 79 77 77 60 64 48 63 65

October 49 58 58 55 31 40 49 40 52

November 23 21 25 25 24 17 21 17 36

December 42 34 29 29 21 22 25 23 44

Annual Average 55 57 54 56 45 46 44 43 49

Coastal locations: The 2016 annual average unit occupancy rate was s i x percentage points higher

than in 2015. April and July were the only months to show a decrease (by 6 and 15 percentage points

respectively), while the figures for June and August were unchanged. Increases (of between 2 (September)

and 21 (December) percentage points) were recorded in the remaining eight months of 2016.

Comparison with 2008 shows that the 2016 annual average was six percentage points lower, with increases

being seen in the off-peak months of January, February, October, November and December and decreases

in each of the remaining seven months.

Table 6.17 - Self-Catering - Inland Locations - Independent (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 22 19 22 21 23 27 24 37 28

February 40 35 30 36 35 35 33 41 36

March 41 33 33 29 32 37 34 40 40

April 50 58 52 59 54 48 53 52 49

May 63 55 52 56 47 53 53 53 49

June 64 67 61 55 62 54 52 60 60

July 77 76 68 64 68 63 68 68 65

August 89 86 84 84 80 76 82 78 78

September 69 66 60 65 63 58 55 63 65

October 55 49 43 45 52 49 46 55 51

November 29 24 25 25 34 27 28 32 31

December 44 36 34 30 32 34 36 42 33

Annual Average 54 50 47 47 50 47 47 52 45

42

Inland locations: The 2016 annual average unit occupancy of 45% was seven percentage points lower

than in 2015. Monthly figures showed an increase for only one month (September), with three months

remaining as in 2015 (March, June and August) and decreases (of between 1 and 9 percentage points) in

the remaining eight months.

Compared with 2008 figures, the 2016 annual average was nine percentage points lower. Month on

month, 2016 figures were higher in January and November (by 6 and 2 percentage points respectively)

but lower in all the other months.

Comparing the two types of location, it is apparent that while coastal locations have a slightly higher

peak in July and August (68 and 82% compared to 65 and 78% for inland locations), there is no clear

pattern for the rest of the year.


The annual average unit occupancy rates by tariff f o r 2016 are presented in Table 6.18 below.

Monthly unit occupancy rates for tariff analysed by independent/agency operators are detailed in

Appendix 3a of the report.

Figure 6.15 – Self-Catering Occupancy by Tariff - Annual Average – 2013- 2016

As in 2015, properties in the highest tariff band (those charging £800 and more) achieved the highest annual

average unit occupancy rate (52%). – although this was a decrease of five percentage points when compared

with the 2015 figure. The lowest annual average unit occupancy rate (40%) was found in those charging £300-

£499.99 – again this was below the 2015 figure (51%).

38 39

53

41 47

53 51

40

58 57 54

50

43 46

57 52

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2013 2014 2015 2016

Up to £299 £300-£499 £500-£799 £800+

43

Table 6.18 - Self-Catering (All) - Average Monthly Unit Occupancy by Tariff (%)


<£299.99 £300 -£499.99 £500 -£799.99 £800+

January 29 22 21 18

February 29 30 43 34

March 36 29 45 58

April 56 46 49 63

May * 45 54 76 June 85 56 67 57

July 81 65 74 66

August 79 68 84 90

September 87 70 70 67

October 65 44 32 37

November 34 30 34 57

December 41 29 28 28

Annual Average 41 40 50 52 * sample <5

The highest monthly occupancy rate (90%) was found in the most expensive tariff band in August but the

lowest tariff band recorded the highest occupancy rates in June, July, September and October.

6.5 Occupancy by grading Occupancy rates for properties were analysed according to their membership of Visit Wales Grading

Scheme. Table 6.19 shows the annual average unit occupancy rates by grade. Please note that once

again (a) no properties in the 2016 survey had a one star grading and (b) the sample size for 2 star

properties is smaller than for the other categories therefore the results for this category should be treated

with a degree of caution.

Table 6.19 - Self-Catering (All) - Average Monthly Unit Occupancy by Grading (%)


2 Star 3 Star 4 Star 5 Star Not graded

January 46 32 26 28 24

February 45 42 35 36 51

March 42 37 38 48 42

April 51 38 47 59 46

May 54 54 54 67 51

June 60 59 64 77 56

July 74 72 71 82 80

August 91 87 83 96 97

September 59 70 69 76 70

October 48 36 40 44 45

November 39 39 33 33 42

December 37 33 33 34 43

Annual Average 52 51 47 52 53

44

Within the Visit Wales grading scheme, properties with a 2 or 5 star grading recorded the highest annual

average unit occupancy rate (52%) with 3 and 4 star properties achieving 51% and 47%respectively. As

in 2015, the highest occupancy rates were found in August with none under 80% and the highest 96%

(for 5 star properties).

For ungraded properties, the annual average unit occupancy rate was 53%, one percentage point higher

than that for 2 or 5 star properties and higher than that for, 3 and 4 star properties.

45

7 Caravan Holiday Homes

This section presents the information collected from operators offering static caravans (and/or chalets)

for let. Occupancy is measured by relating the number of units let during the reporting period (April to

October) to the total number available for let during that time.

Please note that due to the small sample sizes in a number of categories, analysis by grading and for

sites located in inland areas have not been presented in this report.

7.1 Monthly Unit Occupancy

The monthly occupancy rates for caravan holiday homes in 2016 are shown in Figure 7.1 below.

Figure 7.1 – Caravan Holiday Homes - Monthly Unit Occupancy – 2016 (%)

The timing of the Easter period has been particularly influential on occupancy rates for Caravan Holiday Homes

over the years and therefore the data for all holiday homes cover the period May - October. 2016 saw the

highest figures during the peak summer months of June, July, August and September (93, 92, 97 and 94%

respectively – each an increase on 2015) and the lowest in April (66%).

89 93 92

97 94

80

91

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

May June July August September October (May-October) Avg

46

Figure 7.2 below shows the occupancy rates for 2008 to 2016 for caravan holiday homes. Figure 7.2 –Caravan Holiday Homes – Seasonal averages – May – October, 2008 – 2016 (%)

The seasonal average for caravan holiday homes remained above 75% in the period 2009 – 2013

but dropped to 63% in 2014, and rose again to 75% in 2015 and 91% in 2016.

Table 7.1 –Caravan Holiday Homes – Monthly Unit Occupancy – All - 2008 - 2016

Monthly Unit Occupancy (%)

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

May 60 81 78 79 80 76 65 60 89

June 71 85 84 80 86 83 64 50 93

July 73 86 83 86 86 88 64 77 92

August 87 96 91 93 85 92 68 88 97

September 71 88 64 85 91 84 63 67 94

October 37 82 47 69 77 * 53 78 80

May to October Average 66 86 75 82 84 83 63 75 91

Compared with the previous year, the 2016 occupancy rates showed increases across all months

ranging from 2 percentage points in October to 43 in June. Caravan holiday homes have seen a

significant rise during 2016 in the May to October average, up from 75% in 2015 to 91% in 2016, an

increase of 16 percentage points and the highest recorded average over the period under review.

Please note: changes in sample size may have impacted on the apparent large increase seen in 2016

66

86

75 82 84 83

63

75

91

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

47

7.2 Occupancy by Location Table 7.2 –Caravan Holiday Homes – Coastal Locations - Monthly Unit Occupancy (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

May 63 83 81 83 86 79 67 63 92

June 74 88 87 83 90 86 64 59 96

July 75 89 85 88 89 90 65 85 94

August 84 94 91 93 87 94 68 91 98

September 73 90 64 87 93 90 63 74 96

October 36 85 46 70 79 * 53 79 82

May to October Average

68 88 76 84 87 81 65 78 93

Reflecting the variation in seasonal averages at the overall level, rates for Caravan Holiday Homes in

coastal locations have shown a fair degree of variation over the past nine years. The seasonal averages for

caravan holiday homes in coastal locations increased from 65% in 2014 to 78% in 2015 and a 15

percentage point rise to 93% in 2016, with the figures for each month showing increases ranging from 3

percentage points (October) to 37 percentage points (June).

Due to the small sample size, we are unable to show comparisons between inland and coastal areas.

48

8 Touring Caravan & Camping Parks

This section of the report features parks offering touring caravan and camping pitches. Although this

element of the survey covered the months of March to October inclusive (reflecting the closure of the

majority of the sites during the winter months), very few returns were received outside the main tourist

season (May to October). Commentary and comparisons in this section of the report refer to this

shortened season of May to October.

8.1 Monthly Pitch Occupancy

Figure 8.1 below presents seasonal (May to October) occupancy rates between 2008 and 2016 for touring

caravan and camping parks.

Figure 8.1 –Touring caravan and camping parks – Seasonal Average Pitch Occupancy (%)

The May to October seasonal average has shown some variation over the years influenced, in part, by

sample variations in the sample. The 2016 rate of 41% is one of the highest since 2011 and is 4

percentage points higher than the seasonal average recorded in 2015.

Please note that the relatively small sample sizes for this sector, along with variations in those providing

data, should be taken into account when comparing data. In addition, a participant with a large

number of sites has not provided data after 2011, which should be borne in mind when comparing

averages between years.

Table 8.1 shows the monthly data for the past nine years. However, as previously mentioned, monthly

variations have not been commented on and should be treated with caution.

53

39 48 48

32 32 31 37 41

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

49

Table 8.1 –Touring caravan and camping parks – Monthly Pitch Occupancy (%)

Average Pitch Occupancy

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

May 52 35 36 41 20 26 25 29 28

June 51 35 47 49 33 27 27 32 37

July 61 45 60 59 39 42 38 50 53

August 73 61 69 65 52 49 48 58 66

September 44 32 45 42 25 24 28 26 33

October 37 25 33 30 14 15 11 16 18

May – October Ave 53 39 48 48 32 32 31 37 41

* Sample too small for analysis

8.2 Occupancy by Location Occupancy data was analysed for touring caravan and camping parks located in coastal and inland

locations. Tables 8.2 and 8.3 below and overleaf give occupancy rates for touring caravan and camping

parks in 2016 along with trended historical data. Figure 8.2 below shows the comparisons of May-

October average between inland and coastal locations from 2008-2016.

Figure 8.2 –Touring caravan and camping parks – seasonal average pitch occupancy - Inland/Coastal Locations

The May-October average in coastal locations appear to have a more consistent level of occupancy than those

based in inland locations. However, the small sample base for coastal properties should be taken into account

when using these figures.

52

47

43

36 37

33 33

47

51

55

26

49

53

27 26

17

32

37

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Coastal Inland

50

Table 8.2 Touring caravan and camping parks - Coastal Locations (%)

Average Pitch Occupancy

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

May 50 40 31 26 21 30 29 38 33

June 47 41 49 36 36 27 29 42 47

July 60 61 51 48 47 51 55 60 64

August 76 80 70 66 65 65 58 74 79

September 36 38 37 29 25 24 30 30 36

October 42 22 21 13 19 15 15 13 11

May to October Ave 52 47 43 36 37 33 33 47 51


Table 8.3 –Touring caravan and camping parks - Inland Locations (%)


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

May 56 29 36 49 20 24 23 24 26

June 59 26 39 56 31 27 27 28 33

July 62 28 64 64 32 37 31 45 47

August 68 38 68 64 41 41 43 49 59

September 48 19 48 49 24 23 26 24 32

October 37 18 38 36 9 15 10 18 20

May to October Ave 55 26 49 53 27 26 17 32 37


The 2016 seasonal averages for coastal locations rose by 4 percentage points when compared with

2015, reaching the second highest level since 2008 (52%). Seasonal averages for inland locations also

saw an upturn on the levels achieved the previous year, up by 5 percentage points from 32% to 37% in

2016.

Please note that the sample sizes for these areas are low so these results should be interpreted with

caution. In addition, a participant with a large number of sites did not provide data after 2011. The

relatively small sample sizes for this sector, along with variations in those providing data, should be

taken into account when comparing data.


Occupancy rates for parks were analysed according to their membership of the Visit Wales Grading

Scheme. Although monthly averages are presented for March and April, these months have very low

sample sizes and it is the May to October average which is referred to in the accompanying text.

Table 8.4 below shows the annual average unit occupancy rates by grading and monthly occupancy

rates by grade. Please note that parks in the 2016 survey did not have a one, two or five star grading

and the sample size for 3 star graded properties was too small for analysis.

51

Table 8.4 –Touring – Average Monthly Unit Occupancy by Grading (%)

Unit Occupancy (%)

3 stars 4 stars Not graded

2015 2016 2015 2016

March * * 10 * 11

April * 21 15 14 9

May * 33 25 18 19

June * 27 31 18 32

July * 52 52 21 34

August * 58 65 44 *

September * 26 35 11 18

October * 10 11 * *

May – Oct Average * 36 39 23 30


Sites with a 4-star grading recorded a seasonal average of 39% compared to 30% for those properties

without a star grading. However, parks that were not graded, did record an increase of 7 percentage

points on 2015 figures.

The relatively small sample sizes for this sector, along with variations in those providing data, should

be taken into account when comparing data.

.

52

9 Hostels & Bunkhouses

9.1 Monthly Bed Occupancy

Figure 9.1 below presents the monthly and annual bed occupancy for hostels and bunkhouses across

Wales in 2016.

Figure 9.1 – Hostels & Bunkhouses - Monthly Bed Occupancy - 2016 (%)

Figure 9.2 – Hostels & Bunkhouses - Annual Average Bed Occupancy –2009-2016 (%)

Between 2009 and 2013 there was little variation in the annual average bed occupancy rate recorded

for Hostels and Bunkhouses. Since 2013 it has risen steadily to its 2016 figure of 50%.

The annual average bed occupancy rate for Hostels and Bunkhouses increased to 50% in 2016.

When analysed by month, the established pattern of seasonality was again evident, rising steadily

between January and May (from 22% to 53%), increasing during June and July before peaking in

August (71%). It then decreased sharply in September (by 22 percentage points) before falling to 35

and 40% in November and December.

22

39 43

50 53

63 65 71

49 47

35 40

50

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100


41 41 40 43 42 46 49 50

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

53

Table 9.1 - Hostels – Monthly average bed occupancy (%)

Average Bed Occupancy

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 17 14 16 14 15 17 19 22

February 27 27 28 29 28 24 36 39

March 34 32 28 39 45 36 39 43

April 49 48 54 50 39 50 49 50

May 52 50 50 46 52 53 53 53

June 53 55 53 64 56 54 58 63

July 68 64 62 65 62 64 67 65

August 60 66 61 67 68 73 70 71

September 40 44 42 43 41 45 49 49

October 43 41 39 42 41 41 49 47

November 23 24 22 26 26 26 31 35

December 22 23 23 26 24 26 32 40

Annual average 41 41 40 43 42 46 49 50

When compared with the 2015 results, the 2016 figures showed an increase (of up to 8 percentage

points) in eight months - only July and October showed small decreases (of 2 percentage points in each

case) while the May and September remained at their 2015 level. When compared with 2009 figures,

those of 2016 were higher in every month except July where there was a three percentage point fall.

9.2 Overseas Occupancy

On the monthly occupancy form, hostel operators (but not bunkhouse operators) are asked to identify the

nationality (UK or overseas) of guests staying in the hostel each night. It should be noted that not all

establishments provide this information.

Table 9.2 - Hostels - Percentage of Overseas Bednights (%)

Percentage of overseas bednights

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 28 17 31 14 18 16 6 10

February 10 21 21 16 10 12 8 18

March 17 10 12 17 13 13 17 12

April 12 9 10 9 12 14 13 9

May 11 13 10 10 11 10 12 15

June 14 9 9 8 11 10 11 12

July 21 18 21 17 19 12 16 19

August 14 14 14 13 15 14 16 16

September 13 11 11 15 13 11 17 19

October 7 13 12 12 11 8 20 16

November 18 14 7 13 23 8 13 10

December 16 16 19 12 20 7 27 14

Annual average 15 14 15 13 14 12 15 15

The annual average percentage of overseas bednights remained at its 2015 level (15%), with

increases being recorded in January, February, May, June, July and September (of 4, 10, 1, 3 and 2

percentage points respectively). The August figures remained unchanged, while decreases were seen

54

in March, April, October, November and December (of 5, 4, 4, 3 and 13 percentage points respectively).

It should be noted that the percentage of overseas bednights refers to the number of nights spent by

overseas guests as a percentage of the total number of bednights sold.

Figure 9.3 below shows the monthly average bed occupancy rates for UK guests and overseas guests.

Again, it should be noted that not all establishments provided a split by origin.

Figure 9.3 – Hostels & Bunkhouses - Overseas and UK Monthly Bed Occupancy (%)

As in previous years, the UK monthly average bed occupancy rates were significantly higher than

the overseas bed occupancy rates for all months, with the largest differences recorded in June (47

percentage points) and August (49 percentage points). The annual average bed occupancy rate for

UK guests was 43% compared to a rate of 7% for overseas bednights.

Please note that in this chart overseas bed occupancy refers to the number of overseas bednights as

a percentage of the total number of bedspaces available (as opposed to the total number of

bednights).

20

33 38

45 45

55 53

61

40 40

31 34

43 2

7 5

4 8

8 12

12

9 7

3

6

7

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80


UK Occupancy Overseas occupancy

55

9.3 Occupancy by Location

Occupancy data was analysed for hostels in coastal and inland locations. Table 9.3 below illustrates

occupancy rates for hostels in the two locations.

Figure 9.4 – Hostels & Bunkhouses – Bed Occupancy – Inland/Coastal

With the exception of August and December, Inland bed occupancy in hostels & bunkhouses performed better

than coastal locations.

Table 9.3 - Hostels & Bunkhouses- Monthly Bed Occupancy by Location – 2016 (%)

Average Bed Occupancy

Coastal locations Inland locations

January 11 23

February 28 36

March 37 49

April 44 57

May 46 57

June 61 69

July 62 70

August 73 71

September 44 55

October 35 54

November 27 34

December 35 33

May-Oct Average 54 63

Annual Average 46 53

11

28

37

44 46

61 62

73

44

35

27

35

54

46

23

36

49

57 57

69 70 71

55 54

34 33

63

53

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

J F M A M J J A S O N D May-Oct Ave

Ann Avg

Coastal Inland

56

As in 2015, in 2016 hostels located in inland locations recorded higher figures for both the May to

October average and the annual average. Inland establishments recorded higher average bed

occupancy rates throughout the year except for July when their rate of 71% was two percentage points

lower than that of coastal establishments.

Please note that the sample is low and so this should be taken into account when analysing the

results.


Occupancy rates for properties were analysed according to their membership of Visit Wales Grading

Scheme. Figure 9.4 below shows the annual average unit occupancy rates by grade.

Figure 9.5 – Hostels & Bunkhouses - Annual Average Bed Occupancy by Grading (%)

In 2016, establishments with a 2-3 star grading and those with a 4-5 star grading both recorded higher

annual average occupancy rates than in 2015 with a 2 percentage point rise for 2-3 star establishments

and a 3 percentage point rise for 4-5 star establishments.

Please note that no properties in the 2016 survey had either a 1 star grading or were not graded at all.

Also, caution should be used when interpreting the results because of the low sample size.

39

48

42 45

40

47 46 46 49 47

51 50

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2-3 stars 4-5 stars

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

57

Appendix 1 – Hotels

Appendix 1a - Hotels: Bed Occupancy – monthly averages (%)

Bed occupancy

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 25 24 26 25 26 26 27 26 27 32 35 35

February 33 35 35 34 33 35 35 34 38 42 45 43

March 37 35 37 38 34 36 38 42 40 43 46 45

April 41 44 44 40 42 45 45 44 44 51 51 49

May 46 49 50 49 46 47 46 45 49 54 56 49

June 49 50 51 47 48 50 49 50 48 53 55 54

July 52 56 53 52 52 54 50 50 54 59 61 60

August 56 60 60 55 56 57 52 58 59 65 65 65

September 51 55 54 51 50 52 49 54 50 57 58 60

October 42 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 44 52 54 51

November 34 37 38 38 36 35 38 37 42 45 44 45

December 32 34 34 33 34 29 31 37 35 39 40 44

Annual Average

42 44 44 43 42 43 42 44 45 50 51 50

58

Appendix 1b - Hotels: Room Occupancy 2016 (%)

2016 Monthly room occupancy

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Avg

All Wales 50 60 61 65 65 72 77 81 78 69 63 57 67

North Wales 47 57 63 67 70 75 76 84 86 68 59 59 68

Mid Wales 34 42 47 51 59 60 69 66 63 54 46 34 53

South East Wales 59 69 67 70 66 75 81 82 79 76 77 64 72

South West Wales 43 51 52 58 59 67 77 81 70 63 51 48 60

1-3 rooms - - - - - - - - - - - - -

4-10 rooms 37 38 40 46 50 60 67 74 64 45 37 34 50

11-25 rooms 43 51 49 51 54 63 64 72 71 56 51 52 57

26-50 rooms 40 51 52 58 57 65 75 75 74 63 53 44 59

51-100 rooms 54 65 66 70 71 79 83 85 82 78 73 56 72

Over 100 rooms 59 72 74 77 76 81 86 89 86 82 77 69 77

Under £20 - - - - - - - - - - - - -

£20-£29.99 * * * * * * * * * * * * *

£30-£39.99 48 31 38 40 40 48 48 66 55 33 30 32 43

£40-£49.99 * 67 * * * * * * * * 80 55 72

£50-£59.99 60 49 56 53 55 60 78 76 70 68 69 44 59

£60 & over 74 62 62 68 68 74 80 82 80 72 63 60 69

Not graded 21 20 28 31 39 48 51 65 56 33 25 31 41

1 star - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2 stars * * * * * * * * * * * * *

3 stars 43 58 57 61 58 70 76 79 74 68 61 47 63

4 stars 44 50 54 61 66 71 76 78 77 63 51 49 61

5 stars 51 46 54 63 73 74 * * 78 * 67 * 70

City/large town 63 68 64 66 62 71 80 80 74 69 76 52 68

Countryside/village 40 51 50 54 55 63 70 75 70 61 57 55 60

Seaside 40 49 52 58 60 68 71 77 80 61 48 46 59

Small town 39 49 53 56 60 69 82 77 70 63 47 40 58

* Sample size too small to undertake an analysis

- No returns received

59

Appendix 1c – Hotels: Bed Occupancy 2016 (%)

2016 Monthly bed occupancy


All Wales 36 44 45 49 49 54 60 64 59 51 45 44 50

North Wales 36 45 51 55 56 60 63 72 72 55 46 48 55

Mid Wales 23 32 35 41 47 48 53 52 47 39 33 28 41

South East Wales 41 48 46 50 46 51 58 60 55 53 51 48 51

South West Wales 31 39 40 45 47 53 60 67 55 48 37 37 47

1-3 rooms - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4-10 rooms 28 30 34 38 40 48 53 59 49 32 29 28 39 11-25 rooms 35 41 42 43 45 54 54 64 64 46 38 47 49 26-50 rooms 29 37 37 44 45 49 61 59 53 46 38 33 44 51-100 rooms 40 53 55 62 63 70 73 80 75 69 57 51 63 Over 100 rooms 40 49 50 54 52 54 60 64 58 56 51 49 53

Under £20 - - - - - - - - - - - - -

£20-£29.99 * * * * * * * * * * * * *

£30-£39.99 * 23 31 35 33 39 41 56 43 27 21 26 35

£40-£49.99 34 43 45 * * * * * * * 40 40 48

£50-£59.99 35 37 43 41 41 46 70 59 52 49 52 35 46

£60 & over 37 46 47 52 53 57 62 67 63 55 46 47 53

Not graded 14 14 22 26 32 39 44 54 42 26 17 23 32

1 star - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2 stars * * * * * * * * * * * * *

3 stars 28 43 42 47 46 54 60 67 59 53 42 38 49

4 stars 34 40 44 50 50 55 59 64 59 47 38 38 48

5 stars 47 43 52 61 71 72 * * 77 * 54 * 66

City/large town 59 49 42 49 42 48 59 48 51 43 49 40 48 Countryside/village 28 36 37 43 44 51 57 61 57 45 41 45 47

Seaside 32 40 45 49 50 57 61 70 67 51 39 39 50 Small town 26 38 41 43 50 53 65 63 54 48 33 28 46



60

Appendix 2 – Guest Houses/ B&Bs

Appendix 2a – Guest Houses/B&Bs: Trends in Bed Occupancy Rates – Monthly Averages

(%)

Bed occupancy

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

January 17 12 12 11 13 10 10 10 8 10 12 16

February 21 20 20 18 18 17 16 14 17 11 15 19

March 27 20 21 24 20 20 19 21 21 17 21 26

April 30 35 33 25 31 31 33 29 23 26 28 31

May 39 41 40 38 37 34 33 33 36 35 37 41

June 47 46 43 36 39 40 39 40 37 36 42 43

July 53 56 47 45 46 42 43 40 48 44 51 50

August 64 62 57 52 51 47 53 46 49 50 52 58

September 48 45 43 38 41 39 38 38 36 37 39 43

October 33 32 31 30 30 31 25 25 24 26 30 31

November 17 19 20 17 18 18 16 15 17 16 17 21

December 14 19 15 15 15 13 10 10 15 13 15 20

Annual

Average 35 34 33 29 30 29 28 27 28 27 31 35

61

Appendix 2b – Guest House/ B&Bs: Room Occupancy 2016 (%)

2016 Monthly room occupancy


All Wales 20 22 31 36 46 48 58 64 50 37 25 23 39

North Wales 17 25 32 38 48 45 55 62 51 30 26 23 40

Mid Wales 13 12 20 24 36 33 52 54 43 24 17 14 29

South East Wales * 27 * 43 * 50 * 51 * * * * 40

South West Wales 21 25 38 38 53 59 68 79 61 50 30 30 47

1-3 rooms

10

12

24

29

42

41

55

54

46

24

17

18

32 4-10 rooms

21 25 33 38 48 51 59 68 51 41 27 25 42 11-25 rooms * * * * * * * * * * * - *

26-50 rooms * * * * * * - - * - - * *

51-100 rooms - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Over 100 rooms - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Under £20

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

£20-£29.99 * * * * * * * * * * * * *

£30-£39.99 18 20 28 33 45 48 59 58 47 36 28 23 38

£40-£49.99 17 26 35 42 50 45 52 62 46 38 26 25 40

£50-£59.99 26 26 41 43 60 56 72 81 63 45 34 21 44

£60 & over * 18 27 30 43 53 71 76 59 37 22 26 42

Not graded *

7

14

13

31

27

45

40

31

11

8

*

22

1 star * * * * * * * * - - - - *

2 stars * * * * * * * * * * * * *

3 stars 18 25 27 43 43 49 59 63 42 46 30 28 40

4 stars 20 23 39 39 50 53 59 69 57 40 26 24 43

5 stars * * 32 * * * 78 82 66 45 23 23 47

City/large town

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

* Countryside/village

17 20 29 34 45 45 54 60 45 34 23 25 37 Seaside

16 16 29 33 46 46 66 65 51 22 21 15 36 Small town

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

* Sample size too small to undertake an

analysis


62

Appendix 2c – Guest House/ B&Bs: Bed Occupancy 2016 (%)

2016 Monthly bed occupancy


All Wales 16 19 26 31 41 43 50 58 43 31 21 20 35

North Wales 14 23 31 35 46 43 51 56 46 27 23 22 37

Mid Wales 12 11 18 22 33 30 42 53 37 23 15 8 26

South East Wales * 19 * 34 * 38 * 38 * * * * 28

South West Wales 19 21 31 32 48 53 59 73 55 41 24 28 42

1-3 rooms

11

11

24

27

42

40

47

53

43

21

17

16

32

4-10 rooms 16 20 25 32 40 44 51 60 42 34 20 20 35

11-25 rooms * * * * * * * * * * * - *

26-50 rooms * * * * * * - - * - - * *

51-100 rooms - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Over 100 rooms - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Under £20

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

£20-£29.99 * * * * * * * * * * * * *

£30-£39.99 12 13 19 26 36 40 48 48 35 27 19 15 29

£40-£49.99 14 24 31 39 48 41 47 56 43 31 23 25 37

£50-£59.99 19 20 31 30 44 42 53 73 46 35 25 17 35

£60 & over * 23 29 31 42 56 65 80

58 39 19 23 43

Not graded

* 3

11

11

31

24

31

40

27

11

7

*

20

1 star * * * * * * * * - - * * *

2 stars * * * * * * * * * * * * *

3 stars 14 20 19 33 32 37 45 49 30 36 21 20 30

4 stars 17 19 34 34 46 48 53 64 51 33 23 22 39

5 stars * * 24 * * * 74 77 57 40 16 19 40

City/large town

*

*

*

*

*

*

* *

*

*

*

*

*

Countryside/village 14 16 22 28 38 39 46 53 36 27 16 21 31

Seaside 15 20 33 40 49 52 62 75 55 28 30 14 42

Small town * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* Sample size too small to undertake an

analysis


63

Appendix 3 – Self-catering

Appendix 3a – Independent Self Catering Cottages and Apartments Averages (%)

<=£299.99 £300 - £499.99

Unit Occ (%) Sample Unit Occ (%) Sample

January 29 31 21 25

February 29 29 30 32

March 36 13 29 33

April 56 12 46 44

May * 3 45 34

June 85 10 56 36

July 81 9 65 20

August 79 8 68 20


October 65 12 44 33

November 34 25 30 22

December 41 23 29 55

May-Oct Average 78 51 55 171

Jan-Dec Average 41 184 40 382

£500 - £799.99 £800 +

Unit Occ (%) Sample Unit Occ (%) Sample

January 21 18 18 5

February 43 35 34 9

March 45 42 58 16

April 49 39 64 13

May 54 52 76 13

June 67 59 57 13

July 74 55 66 32

August 84 54 90 32


October 32 46 37 12

November 34 29 57 7

December 28 88 28 104

May-Oct Average 64 311 70 116

Jan-Dec Average 50 562 52 270


64

Appendix 4 – Sample Sizes

Serviced Accommodation

Hotels Guesthouse/B&B’s

Sample Sample

January 162 31

February 167 37

March 170 43

April 165 47

May 169 48

June 168 51

July 168 50

August 167 50

September 168 48

October 168 42

November 163 42

December 162 39

Jan-Dec Average 166 44

Self-Catering Cottages & Apartments

Independent Agent

Sample Sample

January 120 501

February 137 478

March 140 573

April 153 555

May 185 682

June 185 1019

July 178 1031

August 171 1021

September 161 1001

October 160 976

November 138 695

December 124 1052


65

Caravan Holiday Homes

Caravan Holiday Homes Touring Caravan & Camping Parks

Sample

January 2 3

February - -

March 9 16

April 14 25

May 14 27

June 12 24

July 13 24

August 13 20

September 12 18

October 12 15

November - -

December - -


- No sample for this month

Hostels & Bunkhouses

Sample

January 26

February 23

March 23

April 25

May 24

June 25

July 25

August 25

September 24

October 25

November 24

December 23

Jan-Dec Average 24

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