More tourists flocked to Lee County in May

FORT MYERS BEACH — Revenues at hotels in Lee County rose 17% in May as the tourism season continued to see increased room occupancies.

Revenue per available room, an important gauge of hotel financial performance that combines occupancies and rates, rose to $68.61 in May compared with $58.62 in the same month in 2012, according to data from Smith Travel for the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau.

In May, the average occupancy at hotels in Lee County rose 12.2% to 58.4% from 52.1% in May 2012. The average daily room rate rose 4.2% in May to $117.52, up from $112.41 in the same month one year ago.