Oxford hotels have among the highest occupancy rates in the country with room rates continuing to rise, according to an industry report.

Oxford’s occupancy rate was 78.9 per cent in 2014, significantly above the average 75.1 per cent for regional hotels and only 3.1 percentage points below the top regional performer, York, on 82 per cent, said Hotel Britain 2015.

The annual report, now in its 10th year, was compiled by accountants and business adversary firm BDO and involved a sample of 656 hotels across the UK.

Oxford came 10th among the 42 regional cities surveyed for occupancy rates.

The study said Oxford’s average room rate increased 5.2 per cent in 2014 over the previous year to £62.13. By comparison, the regional average room rate was up 7.7 per cent to £60.71.

Julian White, general manager of The Oxford Belfry, said the report reflected steadily increasing business at his hotel in Milton Common, near Thame. His hotel came under the “Oxford” umbrella of the report.

“Our sales and profits have grown steadily since we fully reopened in 2010,” he said.

The Oxford Belfry, which is owned by the Q Hotels group, underwent a substantial renovation costing almost £3m in 2008 and 2009.

Mr White said the 154-room hotel now had an occupancy rate of 72.2 per cent (up from 68.1 per cent in 2010) and an average room rate of £70.84 (up from £63.72 in 2010). “We’re reaching our budget every year.”

He said his hotel was benefiting from a rise in tourists from South East Asia, in particular China, South Korea and Japan, as well as “massive growth” in “specialist parties”, such as hen parties and spa weekends for women.

He added that tourists were attracted to the scenic sites in Oxfordshire, such as Blenheim Palace, and that many parents came to visit their children studying in Oxford.

The Oxford Belfry was one of four local hotels to be surveyed in the report.

The others were the Holiday Inn Oxford and the Travelodge Oxford at Pear Tree, and the Travelodge Oxford Wheatley.

Simon Brooker, Thames Valley managing partner for BDO, said he expected Oxford hotels “to continue to perform well” because of the university colleges and “the wealth of things there are to do”.

“The tourist numbers coming into the UK are still very good, and Oxford should benefit more than most cities,” he said.

The report showed that “the UK has done very well and then the regions have done better than London”.

The London occupancy rate was 82.6 per cent in 2014, while the capital’s average room rate increased by only 0.9 per cent to £148.42.

Mr Brooker said some regional cities benefited from one-off events last year, such as the Tour de France going through Leeds and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.