Capital hotels report fall in occupancy

Fewer people stayed in Edinburgh hotels in the month of June than in the previous year as poor weather and the continuing economic crisis took their toll, according to a survey. Occupancy and revenue fell 2.5 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively.

Occupancy rates overall in Scotland were down an average 1.4 per cent on June last year, the report by business advisers and accountants PKF found.

Hotels in Scotland, however, performed better for the month than the rest of the UK.

It’s expected that while the festivals are running occupancy will pick up.

Alastair Rae, from PKF’s real estate and hospitality sector, said: “The summer may leave hotels with financial difficulties during the quieter periods of the year end.”