STRONG performance in Aberdeen continues to bolster the rest of the Scottish hotel sector.

Occupancy in the north-east city rose 0.2% to 67.4% with the revenue per room growing 15.9% to £55.30 in January.

A survey by accountancy firm PKF said Aberdeen had benefited from a major oil and gas employment fair and an offshore wind conference during the month.

The picture was more subdued in Glasgow with revenue declining 1% to £31.97 in spite of a 0.7% rise in occupancy to 61.9%.

In Edinburgh, occupancy dropped 5.2% to 54.5% but room yield actually increased 3% to £33.40.

Alastair Rae, a partner at PKF, said: "Hotels in Aberdeen continue to drive the positive revenue performance for the sector in Scotland.

"Indeed, Aberdeen's revenue figure of £55.30 was the highest of anywhere outside London."

Overall, Scotland recorded a 2.1% rise in revenue to £32.93 but occupancy fell 3.4%.

Occupancy across the UK was down 2.3% with revenue slipping 1.1% with only rooms costing more than £80 seeing both measures increase.

Mr Rae warned of a difficult year ahead and added: "There is little doubt, however, these figures highlight a flat beginning to the year.

"January is not a typical month for the hospitality sector but it is clear these figures indicate the market, Aberdeen aside, is simply treading water."