US hotel occupancy rose more than 2% to 54.7% in the first five months of 2010 compared with the same period last year, according to data from Smith Travel Research.

Revenue per available room (RevPAR) in this year’s first five months rose 1% to $52.99.

The lodging industry’s average rates and RevPAR are expected to make a full recovery by 2013, but occupancy will recover only after 2014, according to PKF Consulting.

US hotels will regain their 2006 property values by 2013, according to HVS, a hotel and leisure research company.

Many hotels are hoping for a quicker recovery although being in debt is a cause for concern for many hotel owners, according to the Wall Street Journal.