What Monthly Occupancy Data Should I Collect to Validate the Forecast?

Ask for 12–24 months of monthly occupancy and average daily rate (ADR) by month for a unit similar to yours, plus any periods when the owner or manager kept the property off market. Also request data on cancellations, seasonality slices (high/low seasons), and any shifts in guest mix (wellness, long-stay, family). Use that data to compare against the forecast's monthly pattern rather than a single annual average. When you review it, check whether the property has maintenance closures or owner-use periods that reduce available days during peak demand. Consider how flight access, holiday calendars and local events influence demand through the year and whether the property is well positioned to attract long-stay or wellness guests outside peak months. If actual data differ from the forecast, adjust the model with conservative income assumptions and full operating costs, including owner-use periods, before relying on a return estimate. A good follow-up is to compare that data with current market conditions and the specifics of your plan.