UAE hotels record highest Feb occupancy since 2008

Hotels in the Middle East reported mixed results in three key performance metrics, while hotels in Africa recorded positive results, according to February 2017 data from STR.

In the Middle East, occupancy rates increased by 3.2 per cent to 71.7 per cent compared to the same period in 2016. The average daily rate (ADR), however, declined by 1.8 per cent to $176.07. The revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased 1.3 per cent to $126.25, STR said.   

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), occupancy increase 6 per cent to 84 per cent; ADR was up 1.4 per cent to Dh714.04 and RevPAR also grew 7.5 per cent to Dh599.94.

Performance was boosted by major events in February, including the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Feb 19 to 23) in Abu Dhabi and the Gulfood conference (Feb 26 to March 2) in Dubai. The 84 per cent actual occupancy level was the highest for a February in the UAE since 2008.  

In Africa, occupancy rates were up 5.5 per cent to 58.8; ADR grew 10.2 per cent to $109.83 and RevPAR also increased 16.2 per cent to $64.55.   

STR analysts note that February is typically a strong month for South Africa hotels. Cape Town, the country’s largest tourism hub, recorded standout performance growth during the month with a 14.6 per cent RevPAR increase. The market’s hotels received a lift from events like Mining Indaba (Feb 6 to 9), the Stellenbosch Wine Festival (Feb 24 to 26), the Ultra South Africa music festival (Feb 24 to 25) and Jazz on the Rocks (Feb 23 to 27). The country’s overall performance falls in line with previous months as South Africa’s hotel industry has thrived due to weakened currency.  - TradeArabia News Service