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And though growth in a key hotel revenue measure fell from double digits, the 2018 results still beat expectations, the local convention and visitors bureau said.

Marketwide room revenue last year increased $26 million, to $414.7 million from $388.5 million in 2017, according to year-end data from the travel research firm STR.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ posted a 7.8 percent increase in annual revenue per available room — a standard industry measure of hotel occupancy multiplied by average daily rate — outperforming a predicted 6.2 percent increase for 2018.

In 2017, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s revenue per available room rose 13.5 percent, but local tourism officials said they expected that growth curve to flatten.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥-area hotel occupancy rates increased 3.4 percent and average daily room rates increased 4.3 percent, according to STR figures cited by Visit ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.

This year is off to a good start with major events that help drive local tourism, Visit ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ said.

The fourth annual Nova Home Loans ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Bowl game boosted revenue per available room 4.9 percent during the last week of December, while the average daily room rate has risen $10 during game week since the first ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Bowl in 2015.

The tourism agency said the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Gem, Fossil & Mineral Showcase is shaping up to be one of the biggest ever, featuring 48 separate shows.

An economic-impact study performed in 2014 found direct spending associated with the gem show topped $120 million, and Visit ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ said it has hired FMR Associates to perform a similar study for this year’s show.

Visit ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ said it is also working with a global consulting firm, Resonance, to develop a ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ tourism master plan to provide a regional road map for increasing the number of overnight visitors, length of stays, and spending, along with efforts to increase these metrics.

After planned workshops, the master-planning effort is scheduled to be completed by June 30.