Photo via Calculated Risk
According to CoStar data through January 3, the U.S. hotel industry posted positive year-over-year comparisons in occupancy rates for the week ending January 3, 2026. Occupancy reached 50.5%, representing a 4.4% increase compared to the same week in 2025, signaling modest momentum as the year began.
Early-year hotel performance can be difficult to assess accurately, as travel patterns typically soften during January following the holiday season. The seasonal nature of hotel demand makes it challenging to draw definitive conclusions about broader industry health in the opening weeks of the calendar year, though the year-over-year gain provides a positive starting point for 2026.
Four-week moving average data shows the typical seasonal fluctuations in occupancy rates that characterize the hospitality sector throughout the year. Analysts will continue monitoring weekly performance metrics as winter travel patterns stabilize to develop a clearer picture of industry momentum.
