Bangkok Hotels Report Largest Occupancy Drop in Asia

Hotels in the Asia Pacific region reported double-digit decreases when reported in U.S. dollars for all three key performance metrics for April 2009, according to data compiled by STR Global.

The Asia Pacific region’s occupancy dropped 14.3% to 59.2%; average daily rate declined 20.1% to US$117.10; and revenue per available room fell 31.5% to US$69.36.

“The Asia Pacific region, along with the Middle East, has come into a similar cyclical movement as Europe and North America - but there are a few highlights still,” said James Chappell, managing director of STR Global. “Bali, Indonesia, increased 21.5% in RevPAR (in local currency), and Seoul, South Korea, reported a 16.3% increase (in local currency) in the measure.”

Among the key markets, Seoul, South Korea, was the only market to report an increase in occupancy, which was up 10.5% to 83.3%. Bangkok, Thailand, reported the largest decrease in occupancy, which dropped 33.6% to 44.3%.

Bali, Indonesia, reported the largest increase in ADR, which rose 17.4% to US$123.39. Two other markets reported increases in ADR: Tokyo, Japan (+10.9% to US$227.09), and Osaka, Japan (+5.8% to US$122.82).

Mumbai, India, led the ADR decreases, dropping 41.1% to US$163.30. Other markets that reported ADR decreases of more than 30% include: New Delhi, India (-38.6% to US$174.29); Beijing, China (-32.3% to US$97.48); and Sydney, Australia (-31.3% to US$119.92).

Bali was the only key market to report a RevPAR increase (+5.0% to US$78.83). New Delhi reported the largest decrease in RevPAR, which dropped 52.7% to US$101.33. Three other key markets that reported large RevPAR decreases include: Mumbai (51.4% to US$95.56); Beijing (-51.2% to US$50.46); and Bangkok (-47% to US$39.74).

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, STR, April 2009