Advance bookings give hoteliers reason to smile, at least for now

Christopher Boyd writes:

The hotel industry has grown accustomed to uncertainty. In 2001, it learned how terrorist attacks hundreds of miles away could turn a boom into a near bust. And a series of hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 made many would-be travelers reluctant to plan Florida vacations during the summer and early fall.

Finally, a dramatic increase in fuel costs has led to unending speculation about a tipping point -- the threshold price at which consumers will balk at taking long-distance vacations.

With more than 116,000 rooms, Central Florida is the nation's second-largest hotel market. And its growing supply of vacation-home rentals and time shares provides travelers with a huge assortment of lodging alternatives.

Hotel occupancy rose during the final months of 2007, even as room rates continued to climb. Although no single factor explains the increase, a boost in promotional funds last year for the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau is generally considered important.