Mideast outperforms global RevPAR
The hospitality sector in the Middle East continued to outperform the Asia Pacific, Americas and the European markets in terms of revenue per available room (RevPAR), an industry benchmark, according to new research.
The Deloitte and STR Global report on hotel performance during the year to August 2009 said the Middle East had a RevPAR of $122.1.
Middle East hotels witnessed the lowest decline among the above regional markets in average daily rate (ADR) and RevPAR.
However occupancies and RevPAR during year-to-date 2009 remain below their corresponding levels in 2008.
In the region, hotel occupancy during the year to August 2009 was 61.9 per cent, compared to 69.9 per cent in August 2008.
Regional RevPAR declined by 18.7 per cent during the year to August 2009 from August 2008.
Dubai's decline of 15.1 per cent in monthly occupancy in August 2009 compared to August 2008 was amongst the smallest in the region. RevPAR in August 2009 was $100.46. In Abu Dhabi, occupancy declined to 61.3 per cent in August 2009 compared to 76.09 per cent during the same month in 2008, while RevPAR declined by 25.2 per cent to $115.
RevPAR during the year to August 2009 increased by 0.8 per cent compared to 2008, said the Deloitte and STR Global report.
Beirut's monthly occupancy declined for the first time, relative to 2008 monthly occupancy, in August 2009.
The year to August 2009 continued to compare favourably with 2008, with increases of 40.6 per cent in occupancy and 76.8 per cent in RevPAR respectively.
Jeddah witnessed positive results despite regional declines, with a 9.2 per cent increase in RevPAR (to $139.13) in August 2009, relative to August 2008.
Occupancy declined from 76.4 per cent in August 2008 to 75.4 per cent in August 2009. RevPAR during the year to August 2009 increased by 17. 8 per cent relative to 2008.
Muscat witnessed a decline in occupancy from 57.3 per cent in August 2008 to 35.4 per cent in August 2009.
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