Hotels in the UAE witnessed an occupancy rate of 76.7 per cent during May, marking a year-on-year increase of 2.1 per cent, while the rest of the Middle East and Africa region reported mixed results, according to new data.

The region reported a 3.0-per cent increase in occupancy to 65.1 per cent, a 5.7-per cent drop in average daily rate (ADR) to $142.54 and a 2.9-per cent decrease in revenue per available room (RevPAR) to $92.81, according to data compiled by STR Global, a leading source of global hotel data.

Among at the three Middle East/Africa sub-regions, Northern Africa posted the largest increase in occupancy (+15.6 per cent to 61.6 per cent) and the only increase in RevPAR (+8.7 per cent to $53.96). None of the sub-regions showed an increase in ADR.

Southern Africa reported the largest declines in ADR (-9.8 per cent to $110.14) and RevPAR (-7.5 per cent to $65.10).

Amongst the countries in the region, Egypt experienced the highest increases in all three key performance measurements.

Occupancy in the country was up 29.7 per cent to 62.6 per cent; ADR rose 14.4 per cent to US$75.78; and RevPAR increased 48.3 per cent to $47.43. Egypt has continued to experience positive results since final travel advisories were lifted in August 2014 and tourist destinations were once again open for business.

According to STR Global analysts, Cairo, Egypt, is a popular destination for Arabian travellers. Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, is a popular and reasonably-priced destination for Europeans.

Zimbabwe was the only other country to report a double-digit increase in RevPAR, up 12.5 per cent to $47.52. Occupancy in Zimbabwe increased 5.0 per cent to 48.1 per cent, and its ADR rose 7.2 per cent to $98.89.

Jordan experienced the largest decrease in occupancy, down 11.5 per cent to 58.2 per cent. Affected by an influx of refugees from neighbouring Syria, Jordan’s situation was felt most significantly by the hotel industry in its capital city (Amman).

Morocco reported the steepest declines in ADR (-18.4 per cent to $102.18) and RevPAR (-22.3 per cent to $64.68). Moroccan international demand has been affected by the French economy, which has not fared favourably recently.

Highlights amongst the Middle East/Africa region’s key markets for May 2015 include (year-over-year comparisons):

•    Cairo, Egypt, reported the largest increase in occupancy, up 50.4 per cent to 63.5 per cent.

•    Amman, Jordan (-16.9 per cent to 61.6 per cent), and Manama, Bahrain (-12.1 per cent to 50.1 per cent), were the two markets to experience double-digit occupancy decreases.

•    Doha, Qatar, posted the largest increase in ADR, up 8.2 per cent to $192.90.

•    Amman saw the largest drop in ADR, down 15.8 per cent to $157.74, followed by Sandton, South Africa and surrounding areas (-13.0 per cent to $98.15), and Muscat, Oman (-10.3 per cent to $168.33).

•    Cairo recorded the largest rise in RevPAR, up 58.6 per cent to $64.97. No other market reported double-digit RevPAR growth.

•    Amman experienced the largest decrease in RevPAR, down 30.0 per cent to $97.10.

•    Saudi Arabian hotels registered an occupancy rate of 62 per cent, reflecting a 5.4 per cent year-on-year decrease. – TradeArabia News Service