Dubai: Hotel occupancies remained stable over the last couple of months while average revenues per room (RevPAR) have risen in the Middle East, according to the latest STR Global figures.
The figures also revealed varying performances for different countries.
"The results are kind of surprising as in a soft market it would usually be the other way round, lower revenues, which could suggest that rates are going up," said John Podaras, associate director at TRI Hospitality Consulting Middle East.
The STR Global Hotel Performance Data pegged Middle East occupancy since February this year at 69 per cent and saw RevPAR rising by more than $40 for the same period, ending up at nearly $150 in April.
Podaras pointed out that taking the Middle East as one market was too generalised a view to come to specific conclusions.
"There are markets in the Gulf, which held exhibitions, sporting and other events during this period. Qatar has had so many new hotels coming online it beggars belief that one can hardly find a room and at high rates," he said.
Beirut, he added, did extremely well over the past couple of months. According to STR Global, Beirut achieved more than 70 per cent occupancy and RevPARs have been equally on the rise.
Jeddah ran along more stable lines, while Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Dubai experienced a slight downward trend over the past couple of months.
Dubai managed the highest occupancies and a RevPAR of $200. Abu Dhabi's occupancy was a little lower and RevPAR dropped to $125.
"Abu Dhabi dropping is a bit of a surprise, which probably means that newer hotels ‘off-island', including Yas Island, are pulling market averages down," Podaras said.
"I hear from operators on-island that occupancies and revenues are up."
The Middle East performed much better with 67 per cent occupancy and $142.14 in April than Europe (Occupancy 55 per cent, RevPAR $78.44), Asia Pacific (Occupancy 63 per cent — RevPAR $84.66) and the Americas (Occupancy 51 per cent, RevPAR $58.53).
What stood out was the Middle East hotels' ability to produce higher revenues with lower occupancies than its counterparts in other regions.
Innovation
Deloitte, analysing the results, attributed them to the region's innovative strategies to attract guests.
However, Podaras said comparing the different regions to each other was like comparing apples to pears.
Each region would be in a different season at the time, he said.
"With that they have different results and countries within also perform very differently, although the Middle East traditionally has higher revenues," he said.
