ORLANDO, Florida: Despite modest tourism growth in the United States, visitation to the theme park capitol Orlando that underpins Florida's multibillion dollar (euro) industry seems to be sputtering.

The area has seen double-digit declines in September and October hotel occupancy, according to Smith Travel Research. It ranked worst in year-to-date occupancy decline among the company's top 25 U.S. destinations (excluding Las Vegas), with a 4.6 percent drop so far. In that time, the average cost of rooms has increased 9 percent to just over $100 (€75).

Visitors to all areas of Florida are down so far in 2006, which could give the state its first year-to-year drop since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Florida has hosted 66.8 million people, according to figures released last week, down .8 percent from 67.4 million visitors at the same time in 2005.

The hotel barometers draw a potentially dismal picture in a year noted for its calm Atlantic storm season.

"The main explanation we have is that people use alternative forms of lodging — that there are people coming into the market, they're just not staying in traditional hotel rooms," Smith vice president Jan Freitag said. "Maybe people in Orlando are just flying in to go on a cruise, and they're not staying."

Last year Orlando pulled in 49 million guests, 58 percent of Florida's 83.6 million total.

Orlando occupancy has been down each month in 2006 over the same periods in 2005 except April, when it was up 10 percent. But no declines were as dramatic as the 10-point September drop and 13-percent October dip.

David Whitaker, senior vice president of marketing for Miami's convention and visitors bureau, said the area's strong international appeal can insulate it from other Florida fluctuations.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/05/america/NA_GEN_US_Florida_Tourism_Down.php