McAllen's hotel occupancy is trending up and leading the county, according to statistics released recently by the Texas Hotel Performance Handbook.

            2013 annual figures show McAllen’s revenues jumped 4.8% over 2012, to $61,220,183. Occupancy also gained, from 58.6% to 59.6%, and Average Daily Rate (ADR) improved 2.7% to $87.43.

            Occupancy for Hidalgo County as a whole increased .6%, while ADR and revenues kept pace with McAllen.

            McAllen ended strong, with fourth quarter numbers showing increases in all three categories- 8% growth in revenues, 3.3% in ADR, and 2% in occupancy.

            McAllen fared better than many cities and areas around the state, including Cameron County, Beaumont/Port Arthur, Laredo, Odessa and Wichita Falls.

            “This is certainly positive news,” said Nancy Millar, Vice President and Director of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce’s Convention and Visitors’ Bureau. “We are seeing a real turn-around now in the number of visitors coming into the city.”

            Visitors mean money for McAllen, Millar said. “Visitors bring new money into the community, in essence growing our economic base. When there’s more money in a community- feeding into stores, restaurants, and hotels, it benefits us all. More jobs are created and businesses thrive.”