Philadelphia Sets Hotel Record Despite Recession

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Despite the recession, Philadelphia officials say last year was a record-setter for hotels in the city.

Smith Travel Research, a company that monitors the hotel industry, found that Philadelphia hotels booked just under four million room nights in 2010. That's about 250,000 more than the previous year, and it tops the old record set in 2005.

Mayor Nutter called a news conference to crow about it:

"Four million rooms sold. That's a record breaking number, and it reminds Philadelphians and people across the country and around the world that the city is open for both leisure and business travel and activity."

Nutter and tourism officials are hoping that 2011 brings even better numbers with the easing of the recession, and with next month's opening of the expansion of the Convention Center.

Reported By Mike Dunn, KYW Newsradio.