STR Reports Global Hotel Statistics for September 2010

According to data compiled by STR Global, hotels in the Asia Pacific region experienced increases in all three key performance metrics for September 2010 when reported in U.S. dollars. In year-over-year measurements, the Asia Pacific region's ORs rose 7.4% to 66.9%, ADR increased 11% to US$135.54, and RevPAR jumped 19.2% to US$90.71.

"The September numbers were eagerly anticipated results as they should give us a good indication how strong the RevPAR recovery across the region really is," said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. "September 2009 was the first month last year in which hoteliers reported only single-digit declines compared to the prior year. Therefore it was interesting to see if the double-digit growth we have seen so far this year would continue this month."

"September 2010 is now the 10th month with around 20% RevPAR growth for Asia Pacific", Randall continued. "One particularly strong market is Shanghai, China. The World Expo in Shanghai, which broke previous Expo attendance records and which ends in October, boosted Shanghai's year-to-date RevPAR performance 64% compared to the same timeframe last year."

Highlights from key market performers for September 2010: (year-on-year comparisons, all currency in U.S. dollars)

- Shanghai achieved the largest increases in all three key performance metrics. The market's occupancy rose 29.5% to 73.3%, ADR increased 34.2% to US$142.64, and RevPAR jumped 73.8% to US$104.50.
- Jakarta, Indonesia, ended the month with a 22.5% occupancy increase to 58.2%.
- Two markets posted occupancy decreases: Bangkok, Thailand (-1.5% to 53.7%), and Seoul, South Korea (-0.6% to 83.7%).
- Two markets, excluding Shanghai, reported ADR increases of more than 20%: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (+21.7% to US$113.24), and New Delhi, India (+20.2% to US$186.77).
- Along with Shanghai, Jakarta (+45.5% to US$46.96) and Kuala Lumpur (+39.4% to US$71.38) reported largest RevPAR increases for the month.

The Americas

The Americas region recorded positive results in the three key performance metrics when reported in U.S. dollars for September 2010.

The region's OR rose 6.6% to 60.1%, ADR went up 2.3% to US$101.07, and RevPAR increased 9.1% to US$60.78.

Among the key markets in the region, Santiago, Chile, achieved the largest occupancy increase, rising 17.1% to 66.6%, followed by Miami, Florida, with a 12.1% increase to 59.3%.

San Juan, Puerto Rico, was the only market to experience decreases in any of the three key metrics. The market's occupancy fell 5.5% to 59.8%, ADR ended the month virtually flat with a 0.2% decrease to US$135.67, and RevPAR was down 5.7% to US$81.08.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, posted the largest ADR increase, rising 24.7% to US$190.18, followed by Sao Paulo, Brazil (+16.5% to US$115.50), and Santiago (+15% to US$142.61).

Five markets reported RevPAR increases of more than 20%: Rio de Janeiro (+37.1% to US$138.79); Santiago (+34.7% to US$94.91); Sao Paulo (+29.2% to US$81.15); Mexico City, Mexico (+27.0% to US$71.97); and Montreal, Canada (+22.5% to US$100.75).

Europe

The European hotel industry posted positive results in year-on-year metrics when reported in U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds for September 2010, according to data compiled by STR Global.

"September saw the highest monthly occupancy and average room rate so far for this year," said Elizabeth Randall. "With 74.8% occupancy and EUR106.68 ADR, Europe also achieved its highest RevPAR of EUR79.78. One has to go back to September 2008 to get a similar RevPAR (EUR82.86). As the continued RevPAR recovery gains strength, the outlook looks brighter for the European markets despite the continued risks to the wider economies and the hotel markets."

Highlights from key market performers for September include (year-over-year comparisons, all currency in euros):

- Prague, Czech Republic, reported the largest occupancy increase, rising 20% to 80.4%, followed by Istanbul, Turkey, with a 19.8% increase to 81.4%.
- Athens, Greece, posted an occupancy decrease of -5.4% to 72.9%.
- Stockholm, Sweden, experienced the largest ADR increase, rising 34.8% to EUR152.18, followed by Cologne, Germany (+30% to EUR119.21), and Geneva, Switzerland (+29.1% to EUR241.08).
- Two markets posted double-digit ADR decreases: Vienna, Austria (-22.3% to EUR95.83), and Aberdeen, Scotland (-15.5% to EUR83.58).
- Four markets experienced RevPAR increases of more than 35%: Stockholm (+49.1% to EUR127.44); Geneva (+45.3% to EUR183.69); Cologne (+42.5% to EUR95.48); and Munich, Germany (+37.5% to EUR134.44).
- Vienna (-15.2% to EUR81.66) and Aberdeen (-13.8% to EUR64.23) reported the largest RevPAR decreases for the month.

Middle East / Africa

According to STR Global, the Middle East / Africa region reported increases in all three key performance measurements for September 2010 when reported in U.S. dollars.

The region's occupancy ended the month with a 5.6% increase to 58.2%, ADR rose 8.2% to US$147.39, and RevPAR went up 14.2% to US$85.80.

"The Middle East/Africa region's performance was boosted in September with strong performances across Northern Africa. However, the subregion's 15.9% ADR increase to US$87.73 is still only half of the average rates achieved across the Middle East subregion (US$189.18)," said Ms. Randall. "We mentioned last month that we were looking forward to seeing September results, as the Middle East subregion had reported the first ADR increase in August. Unfortunately, we have to wait for this trend to stabilise. The impact of the changing Ramadan periods from 2009 to 2010 is making a reading of the current month's performance harder, and it will be interesting to see how October ends."

Highlights among the region's key markets for September include (year-over-year comparisons, all currency in U.S. dollars):

- Amman, Jordan, achieved the largest occupancy increase, rising 39.2% to 57.7%, followed by Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a 22.3% increase to 41.9%.
- Three markets posted occupancy decreases: Johannesburg, South Africa (-10% to 56.7%); Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (-8.6% to 63.1%); and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (-7.8% to 57.5%).
- Johannesburg reported the largest ADR increase, rising 32.5% to US$124.34.
- Abu Dhabi fell 27.8% in ADR to US$142.65, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.
- Three markets experienced RevPAR increases of more than 30%: Amman (+48.5% to US$82.84); Beirut, Lebanon (+31.3% to US$193.94); and Cairo, Egypt (+30.1% to US$81.73).
- Two markets reported RevPAR decreases for the month: Abu Dhabi (-33.4% to US$81.96) and Jeddah (-9.1% to US$132.55).

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