/ 22 January 2000

HOTEL OCCUPANCY DECLINES

THE average room and bed occupancy rates of South African hotels for November 1999 decreased by 12% and 6,7% respectively, compared with November 1998, according to figures released Thursday by Statistics South Africa. Stats SA said decreases in room and bed occupancy rates were reported in 4 of the 9 provinces. North West province recorded the largest decreases in room and bed occupancy rates of 13.8% and 12.8% respectively, followed by Gauteng with decreases in room and bed occupancy rates of 9,1% and 6,2% respectively.