New per diem rates based on independent data

Hotel & Motel Management, Dec 13, 2004 by Bruce Adams

It wasn't always that way, though. The Nashville per diem rate was $82 in fiscal years 2003 and 2004, and changed to $77 for fiscal year 2005, based on the STR data. But Nashville was one of 17 markets that the GSA revisited and readjusted following requests from the AH&LA, she said. The Nashville per diem was reset at $94 for fiscal year 2005.

"When you drop out the highest rates in the market, you are dropping out almost all of the hotels in the downtown Nashville area," Combs said. "It would have been very difficult to find a hotel near the capitol or anywhere near government buildings at $77. The new system is in place and it is a step in the right direction."

Lodging per diem rates

Market             Estimated annual     Fiscal
                     room nights       year 2004

Virginia suburbs      1,024,960       $150
Los Angeles             750,135       $106
Denver                  502,705       $112
Norfolk, Va.            494,059       $109/$55 *
San Diego               491,585       $110
Dallas                  485,160       $95
San Francisco           471,725       $139
Washington D.C.         457,465       $150
San Antonio             451,890       $91
Atlanta                 384,605       $112
Boston                  365,138       $192/$159 *
Chicago                 297,229       $155
New York                267,380       $208

Market                 Fiscal           Hotels with
                      year 2005       government rates

Virginia suburbs   $153                      797
Los Angeles        $100                    1,269
Denver             $112                      372
Norfolk, Va.       $67/$101/$133 *           348
San Diego          $129                      466
Dallas             $88                       992
San Francisco      $126                      749
Washington D.C.    $153                      261
San Antonio        $93                       331
Atlanta            $113                      830
Boston             $161/$127 *               332
Chicago            $149                      892
New York           $208/$177/$200 *        1,265

* seasonal rates vary

Source: Society of Government Travel Professionals

badams@advanstar.com