Dubai’s hotels witnessed an increase in occupancy of 3.3 per cent in December as compared to the same month in 2009 to reach 71 per cent during 2010, said a report.

However, the city’s hotels witnessed a decline of 4.2 per cent in revenue per available room (RevPAR) to reach $154 during YTD December 2010, said an analysis of selected STR Global hotel performances by Deloitte, a leading professional services firm.

The month of December 2010 witnessed many events including the third Dubai World Game Expo, WAO International Scientific Conference and the World Offshore Powerboat Championship events are ensuring that additional room stock is absorbed, said the report.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s occupancy during YTD December 2010 was 58.8 per cent, compared to 68.3 per cent during the corresponding period in 2009.

RevPAR in the city was $117 during YTD December 2010, compared to $197 during the corresponding period in 2009.

The Fifa Club World Cup and the Abu Dhabi International Motor Show 2010, among many other important events hosted by the city in December 2010 have contributed to sustaining occupancies in the city despite the significant increase in available rooms that has taken place.

Jeddah

Jeddah’s occupancy was recorded at 68.4 per cent during YTD December 2010 with no change from the corresponding period in 2009. RevPAR stood at $ 130 during YTD 2010, compared to $ 123 in the corresponding period in 2009.

Hoteliers in the city will look forward to benefit from the steady and continued growth in the region.

Beirut

Hotels in Beirut witnessed an occupancy 64.6 per cent during YTD December 2010 compared to 70.5 per cent during the corresponding period in 2009.

RevPAR for the city witnessed an increase of 5.3 per cent to $158 during YTD December 2010. Yield management appears to be going well, said the report.

The city’s hotels will continue to benefit from increased marketing activities and events in 2011 to increase hotel performances.

Muscat

Muscat’s hotel occupancy stood at 55.8 per cent during YTD December 2010, up by 4.8 per cent from 53.3 per cent during the corresponding period in 2009.
The city’s RevPAR during YTD December 2010 declined slightly by 2.4 per cent to $137, compared to $140 in 2009.

Major events such as the 2nd Asian Beach Games in the city have contributed to growth in hotel performances and shown that with more events, the market can grow larger and remain profitable.

Middle East

RevPAR in the Middle East continued to remain dominant at $123 during YTD December 2010, compared to $83 in Europe, $88 in the Asia Pacific region, and $58 in the Americas.

Occupancy in the Middle East was recorded at 61 per cent during YTD December 2010 representing a slight increase of 0.3 per cent from the corresponding period in 2009.

This is a remarkable achievement given the increase in room supply during the year, according to the report.

The region’s RevPAR witnessed a drop of 4.4 per cent in RevPAR to $123 during YTD December 2010. – TradeArabia News Service