Hotel occupancy rates increased in September

More Utah hotel rooms were occupied in September as daily room rates climbed, according to the Rocky Mountain Lodging Report.

The occupancy rate for Utah hotels was 72.4 percent in September, up from 66.8 percent in September 2005.

The statewide average daily room rate rose to $83.34 for the month, up from $74.35.

In Salt Lake City, occupancy rates in September were 76.9 percent, up from 70.3 percent a year ago, with rooms averaging $87.17, up from $77.30.

Utah's mountain resorts posted the lowest lodging occupancy rates in September at 54.5 percent.