HOTEL occupancy in York has returned to boom levels, according to a report by professional services firm Deloitte - but doubt is being cast on this optimism.

The HotelBenchMark Survey, a nationwide study that tracks average room rates and revenues per available room (RevPAR), shows that occupancy levels in York and throughout Yorkshire have finally recovered to numbers recorded in 2001.

According to the Deloitte-sponsored survey of hotel fortunes for the year to this March, York - one of the country's most popular tourist destinations - saw occupancy rise 5.3 per cent to about 74 per cent.

RevPAR rose by 11.4 per cent to £41, and the average room rate to £56 - a rise of nearly five per cent.

A spokeswoman for Deloitte said the survey in York was based on returns from 11 hotels ranging from three-star to five-star.

But Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of the York Tourism Bureau, said: "I'd like to believe these figures, but they are based on a very small sample size.

"Our contact with more than 200 accommodation providers of all sizes suggests that occupancy rates in York are very much on a par with last year - just 0.5 per cent increase over that period.

"I would be very nervous about using these HotelBenchmark figures to forecast a boom summer."

The survey showed that occupancy levels in Leeds-based hotels rose to 71 per cent compared to March 2003 - an increase of nearly seven per cent.

RevPAR climbed 12 per cent to £46. The average room rate increased to £64 - a rise of five per cent - and was £8 more than the York average.

Mrs Cruddas said: "I'd also like to believe that is true, particularly since York hotels have been caned for their high room rates.

"If we are less expensive than Leeds it shows we are giving excellent value for money.

"However, it is not comparing like with like, because their rates are based more on corporate visitors than ours, which are centred more on a mix of business and leisure tourism..

"But the huge level of occupancy growth suggests hoteliers are finding innovative ways to attract visitors."

Updated: 11:35 Wednesday, June 02, 2004