San Diego County’s lodging industry should see continued growth in 2016, with a “soft landing” expected for the local and U.S. markets in 2017 as hotel room demand slows, according to a newly issued forecast by San Diego-based consulting firm RAR Hospitality.

At a March 25 forum in Carmel Valley, company President Robert Rauch said the San Diego market this year should achieve its highest hotel occupancy levels and average daily room rates of the last 30 years.

Regionwide occupancy is expected to remain at 76 percent, with rate growth of 5 percent, to 8.

Revenue per available room (RevPar) is expected to reach $120, topping 2015’s $115.04.

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