“The number of passengers passing through San Francisco International Airport increased each month this year compared with 2004. Meanwhile, hotels are filling up more than they have in years, and guests are paying higher prices for rooms,” reports The San Francisco Chronicle.

“For the seven months that ended in July, the most recent numbers available, average hotel occupancy in San Francisco was 74.4 percent, and the average room price was $151.69, according to PKF Consulting, a firm that tracks the hotel industry.

“That’s well below the high-water mark of July 2000, when occupancy was 83.8 percent and the average rate was $164.57. But occupancy was up 2.2 percent and the average rate up 3.5 percent for the January-through-July period from the first seven months of 2004.”