By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

The upward trend continues for occupancy rates at hotels both locally and nationally that have seen increases since the early part of the year.

According to monthly statistics compiled by Smith Travel Research of Nashville, occupancy in Buffalo, Erie County and Niagara Falls rose in October and is running well ahead of last year. The same is true for Rochester and nationally.

In Buffalo and Erie County, hotel occupancy in October rose 4.8 percent to 71.1 percent this year. For year to date, it was up 3 percent to 65.9 percent.

Buffalo and Erie County's numbers are stronger than the national average, which in October saw occupancy rise 6.9 percent from 2009 to 61.3 percent last month. In October, the average rate locally was nearly 16 percent above the national rate.

Niagara Falls also trended ahead of national statistics with a 5.7 percent increase in occupacy rates for October. It was up from 59.1 percent a year ago.

For year to date, the rate in Niagara Falls increased 4.2 percent to 60.6 percent.

Rochester also saw healthy gains: Hotel occupancy increased 1.6 percent in October to 61.6 percent.

Year-to-date statistics saw the Flower City's occupancy rate increase 6.3 percent to 58 percent.