Profitability in the US hotel industry fell 84.6% in 2020, including a 100.6% decline in December, according to the latest monthly P&L data from STR. December gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) came in worse than any month since June in both absolute terms and year-over-year comparisons. Raquel Ortiz, assistant director of financial performance for STR, said lower demand in December, coupled with fixed expenses for hotels, meant profit declines on par with those early in the pandemic. She said that only worsened the overall 2020 figures, which showed an average profit level of less than $15 per room, after coming in at almost $95 in 2019. As noted in a revised forecast, she said this year was off to a slow start amid a worsening pandemic situation, “so the pattern of dwindling profitability will likely continue in the coming months.” Six of the major markets reported GOPPAR declines worse than 100% in 2020, with New York City reporting the steepest decline in the metric (down 136.5%). Minneapolis/St. Paul showed the largest decrease in total revenue per available room (down 83.8%).