Source: STR Global

The Middle East/Africa region reported mixed results in the three key performance measurements for August 2010 when reported in U.S. dollars, according to data compiled by STR Global.

The region’s occupancy ended the month with a 9.4-percent decrease to 53.0 percent, average daily rate increased 7.4 percent to US$137.83, and revenue per available room fell 2.8 percent to US$73.05.

“Ramadan, which took place 11 August-9 September 2010, impacted the August results for the Middle East/Africa”, said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. “August was the first month this year reporting an increase in ADR across the Middle East (+4.3 percent). Whilst one month doesn’t make a trend, it is a good sign to see the subregion finally picking up rate. The continuing increase in supply limits the short to medium-term recovery of occupancy. When considering the year-to-date results without the new supply which came on line in 2010, we get a small increase in occupancy. Post the excitement of the football World Cup, Africa reported a monthly decline in demand and occupancy levels”.

Highlights among the region’s key markets for August include (year-over-year comparisons, all currency in U.S. dollars):

  • Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, experienced the only occupancy increase, rising 9.9 percent to 42.6 percent.
  • Three markets reported occupancy decreases of more than 20 percent: Beirut, Lebanon (-37.3 percent to 47.1 percent); Cairo, Egypt (-25.0 percent to 43.1 percent); and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (-21.2 percent to 48.0 percent).
  • Johannesburg, South Africa, rose 27.0 percent in ADR to US$105.84, reporting the largest increase in that metric, followed by Cape Town, South Africa, with a 17.5-percent increase to US$122.57.
  • Abu Dhabi posted the largest ADR decrease, falling 28.0 percent to US$131.58.
  • Three markets reported RevPAR increases for the month: Johannesburg (+17.2 percent to US$58.59); Riyadh (+11.4 percent to US$89.67); and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (+2.5 percent to US$137.41).
  • Abu Dhabi (-43.3 percent to US$63.12) and Beirut (-43.2 percent to US$117.23) reported the largest RevPAR decreases.

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Konstanze Auernheimer (STR Global)
Director of Marketing
+44 (0)207 922 1961
STR Global