Stays down at lodging facilities

Whitefish lodging facilities appear to be seeing fewer guests this summer and those staying are booking their trip later than normal.

A survey conducted by the Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau at the end of last month surveyed hotel and motel owners creating a comparison between bookings for summer 2020 and summer 2019 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were 16 lodging establishments that participated.

The survey found that for July three-quarters of the motel and hotels in Whitefish that responded were down up to 50% for occupancy for the month.

Advanced reservations for the month of August, the survey found, were also down — 25% reported a 50% or more decrease in reservations and half of hotel and motel owners reported a 25% to 50% decrease in reservations.

The WCVB since mid-March has been monitoring the economic impact on businesses in Whitefish as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The window for advanced hotel reservations has narrowed dramatically compared to a typical year, according to an analysis by the WCVB. Typically summer reservations are made months in advance, but now they are being made in a matter of days, the organization notes, in a trend that could continue through the rest of the summer.

Looking to September, more than 60% of hoteliers said they are down more than 25% in advanced reservations for that month. But the rest were down less than 25% or actually have more advanced reservations for the month than last year.

While stays were down by up to 50% in July for most lodging establishments, during a survey in May half of respondents at that time reported advanced reservations for July were down 75% or more.

A survey conducted the WCVB and the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce in March found that Whitefish business owners estimated a revenue loss of $732,000 per day in March compared to last year.

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock in March issued a stay at home order that closed all, but essential businesses. The order was lifted on April 26 and the state began a phased reopening.

On June 1, Montana entered phase two of reopening and a 14-day travel quarantine for non-essential travel into the state was also lifted. The City of Whitefish on June 1 also lifted its ban on most lodging stays related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WCVB has conducted several surveys of lodging facilities through the spring and summer months.

During March, it found that occupancy was down about 30% from the prior year.

In April and May when stays were restricted to guests for essential travel only under city ordinance, occupancy was down 50%.