TEMPE, AZ -- Low occupancy equates to low rates at local hotels.
"It's not real busy," said tourist Marci Duby.
That's the feeling around the Buttes in Tempe, because you can see a lot of empty chairs around the pool.
"September was definitely a struggle throughout the Valley," said General Manager of The Buttes a Marriott Resort Steve Eberhart.
New numbers from the Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association show a drop of occupied rooms of nearly 14-percent compared to last year.
"I've been here for 6 1/2 years and it will be far and away the lowest since I’ve been in this area," said Eberhart.
Rooms are empty, so to fill them hotels are making deals.
Room rates have dropped nearly 18-percent since last year.
"Lots of good deals out there, lots of ways to stretch your dollar," said Eberhart.
That is great news for customers.
"There seemed to be a drop in rates which was instrumental to us staying," said Duby.
But the lower rates drop the hotels revenue per room, it's down nearly 29-percent.
"It's hard to be profitable when the rates are down so much," said Eberhart.
And it not only affects hotels.
"There's definitely a trickle down to a lot of different businesses when the hotels are suffering," said Eberhart.
Executives hope October will be a better month.
