Summer’s mountain resort occupancy rates are becoming nearly identical to those in winter – as summer tourism numbers continues to break records.
Colorado is on pace for a fifth-consecutive record year for summer lodging, according to research firm DestiMetrics.
Last year, mountain resorts had better than a 92 percent occupancy rate compared to winter. DestiMetrics operations director Tom Foley said that gap should close by summer’s end.
“Destinations [have the opportunity] to market themselves as more than just a ski resort, but as a mountain destination,” Foley said.
Foley said marketing efforts and increased numbers of summertime mountain events are contributing to the rise. Lodging rates are lower in the summer.
Resorts get 70 percent of their revenue during the winter.