Occupancy dips for MEA region: STR Global

The recent STR Global report for September 2013 on the Middle East and Africa region stated that the region reported a 4.2% decrease to 58.1% in occupancy. There was a seven percent increase to US$145.81 in average daily rate and a 2.5% increase to US$84.78 in revenue per available room.

Year-to-date in September 2013, the region’s occupancy rose 1.7% to 60.5%; its ADR was up 3.3% to US$160.82; and its RevPAR increased 5.1% to US$97.35.

“Year to date, the Middle East is the only sub-region reporting positive results across all key performance indicators,” said Elizabeth Winkle, managing director of STR Global. “GCC nations UAE and Bahrain are two of the main drivers of this, as both are reporting strong year-to-date performance”.

Highlights for the region in September:

• Doha rose 22.7% to 66% in occupancy, reporting the largest increase followed by Abu Dhabi with a 12.5% increase to 67.4%.
• Cairo reported the largest occupancy decrease, falling 52.8% to 24.7%
• Jeddah rose 11.5% to US$238.96 in ADR, achieving the largest increase
• Beirut witnessed a -13.1% to US$144.20, and Sandton in South Africa, and surrounding areas witnessed -12.3% to US$109.53 posted the largest ADR decreases for the month
• Four markets experienced double-digit RevPAR increases: Dubai with +16.9% to US$148.07; Doha with +14.9% to US$117.10); Jeddah +13.1% to US$188.94; and Muscat +10.3% to US$120.92
• Cairo fell 57.7% to US$23.71 in RevPAR, reporting the largest decrease