Healthy growth in European hotel industry in 2014. - The European hotel industry ended 2014 with growth of 3.8% in terms of RevPAR (revenue per available room, which measures a hotel's economic performance) and the rates of hotel rooms occupied which stood at around 70% (1.9% increase on 2013 figures). These figures were highlighted in the most recent Destinations Observatory Report. The average cost of a European hotel room increased by 2% in 2014, although it remained stable in 2013. It is both the increase in the number of international tourists as well as those from Europe, bolstered by economic recovery in some European countries that encouraged hotel owners to increase their prices. Southern Europe: Southern Europe has experienced growth with strong growth in terms of hotel room occupancy rates in Lisbon (+3.7 points), Madrid (+3.9 points), Seville (+4.8 points) and Zaragoza (+6 points). These cities and their respective countries suffered from the impact of the financial crisis in 2008 but have maintained their attractiveness for foreign tourists in terms of their competitive prices, which is highlighted in the report. Spain, in particular, finished 2014 on a new record in terms of tourists coming to the country. Central Europe: Tourist activity also recorded a new dynamism in central European countries, symbolised by two-figure growth in Budapest in terms of RevPAR. This success was due to better airline connections and more attractive practices in the Hungarian capital. Northern and Western Europe: The growth in the hotel industry remained stable in these European regions thanks to good performances in the business sector. This is the case for the cities of Copenhagen and London. In Germany, trade fairs and exhibitions continued to draw in the crowds and this country has begun to enjoy increasing popularity as a weekend destination, which has also been to the benefit of the hotel industry. (Isabelle Lamberty)