LONDON—The Middle East/Africa region reported mixed performance results during February 2011 when reported in U.S. dollars, according to data compiled by STR Global.
The region’s occupancy ended the month with a 12.6-percent decrease to 56.7 percent, its average daily rate rose 17.1 percent to US$188.53, and its revenue per available room went up 2.3 percent to US$106.92.
“This month we see the impact of the demonstrations and political changes across the Middle East and Northern Africa”, said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. “Northern Africa dropped substantially in occupancy as visitors stayed away. Egypt's occupancy dropped 78.5 percent to a monthly average of 15.9 percent. Across Lebanon, the recent collapse of the national unity government and the indictments by the Hariri tribunal have impacted the stability of the market and resulted in a drop in occupancy to a monthly average of 39 percent for February. In Bahrain, occupancy levels stayed at 61 percent, dropping only 17 percent. With the recent developments in Bahrain and the enforcement of a no-fly zone across Libya, the full impact of recent events remains to be seen”.
Highlights among the region’s key markets for February include (year-over-year comparisons, all currency in U.S. dollars):
• Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, experienced the largest occupancy increase, rising 27.3 percent to 74.1 percent.
• Two markets posted double-digit occupancy decreases: Cairo, Egypt (-80.1 percent to 14.6 percent), and Beirut, Lebanon (-46.7 percent to 37.4 percent).
• Two markets achieved double-digit ADR increases: Cairo (+24.8 percent to US$157.42 and Cape Town, South Africa (+13.6 percent to US$174.75).
• Beirut fell 22.7 percent in ADR to US$187.05, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.
• Four markets experienced RevPAR increases of more than 15 percent: Abu Dhabi (+21.4 percent to US$164.22); Cape Town (+19.6 percent to US$128.35); Muscat, Oman (+18.7 percent to US$210.81); and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (+17.4 percent to US$210.18).
Performances of key countries in February (all monetary units in local currency):
|
Country
|
Occupancy
|
% change
|
ADR
|
% change
|
RevPAR
|
% change
|
|
Egypt
|
15.9%
|
-78.5%
|
EGP537.13
|
+25.4%
|
EGP85.29
|
-73.0%
|
|
Saudi Arabia
|
57.3%
|
+9.2%
|
SAR754.95
|
+9.7%
|
SAR432.59
|
+19.8%
|
|
South Africa
|
59.0%
|
-1.2%
|
ZAR901.57
|
-0.7%
|
ZAR531.63
|
-1.9%
|
|
United Arab Emirates
|
82.4%
|
+7.6%
|
AED847.17
|
-1.0%
|
AED698.21
|
+6.5%
|
*percentages are increases/decreases for February 2011 vs. February 2010
View Global hotel review for February.
Media contacts:
Konstanze Auernheimer
Director of Marketing & Analysis
STR Global
KAuernheimer@strglobal.com
+44 (0)207 922 1961
Jeff Higley
VP, Digital Media & Communications
jeff@str.com
+1 (615) 824-8664 ext. 3318
Rachael Spann Urie
Communications Coordinator
rurie@str.com
+1 (615) 824-8664 ext. 3305
