Middle East/Africa hotel results for December, year-end 2010 | STR Global

The Middle East/Africa region reported increases in all three key performance measurements for year-end 2010 when reported in U.S. dollars, according to data compiled by STR Global.

The region's occupancy ended the year with a 0.8-percent increase to 61.8 percent, average daily rate rose 3.1 percent to US$156.94, and revenue per available room went up 4.0 percent to US$97.04.

"The recovery across the Middle East/Africa region was the slowest and smallest of the world regions in 2010", said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. "Still, the year ended with a 4-percent RevPAR growth, which was boosted mainly by strong performance in Africa. The World Cup held by South Africa in the summer helped to bring additional demand and world attention to the region".

Highlights among the region's key markets for year-end 2010 include (year-over-year comparisons, all currency in U.S. dollars):

• Amman, Jordan, experienced the largest occupancy increase, rising 6.5 percent to 60.6 percent, followed by Muscat, Oman, with a 4.8-percent increase to 55.8 percent.
• Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, reported the largest decreases in all three key performance metrics. The market's occupancy dropped 13.9 percent to 58.8 percent, ADR was down 31.2 percent to US$198.11, and RevPAR decreased 40.7 percent to US$116.52.
• Johannesburg, South Africa (+30.5 percent to US$117.10), and Cape Town, South Africa (+27.4 percent to US$158.27) posted the largest ADR increases for the year.
• Johannesburg jumped 29.4 percent in RevPAR to US$70.56, reporting the largest increase in that metric.

December 2010

In December, the Middle East/Africa region's occupancy rose 4.6 percent to 59.6 percent, ADR was up 4.7 percent to US$173.55, and RevPAR increased 9.5 percent to US$103.51.

Among the key markets, Muscat (+30.8 percent to 74.8 percent) and Abu Dhabi (+24.0 percent to 63.5 percent) reported the largest occupancy increases. Two markets reported double-digit occupancy decreases for the month: Beirut, Lebanon (-14.1 percent to 59.0 percent), and Cape Town (-12.1 percent to 56.1 percent).

Muscat jumped 16.3 percent in ADR to US$328.26, reporting the largest increase in that metric. Two markets reported ADR decreases: Abu Dhabi (-27.6 percent to US$199.72) and Dubai (-1.5 percent to US$240.35).

Two markets posted RevPAR increases of more than 20 percent: Muscat (+52.1 percent to US$245.41) and Riyadh (+22.5 percent to US$167.50). Beirut reported the largest RevPAR decrease, falling 12.7 percent to US$141.87.