STR Reports Global Hotel Performance for September 2011

According to data compiled by STR Global, hotels in the Asia Pacific region experienced mostly positive results in the three key performance metrics during September 2011 when reported in U.S. dollars.

In year-on-year measurements, the Asia Pacific region's occupancy ended the month virtually flat with a 0.4% increase to 68.1%, ADR increased 6.6% to US$140.06 while RevPAR jumped 7.1% to US$95.34.

"New Zealand, which hosted the Rugby World Cup from 9 September to 23 October, reported the highest RevPAR increase for the region," said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. "When analysing the daily performances for Wellington and Auckland, different travel patterns became apparent. For Wellington, travellers arrived largely on the nights of Rugby matches for overnight stays but soon left the city to continue their journey around the islands. Meanwhile, in Auckland, the pattern has been slightly different during the qualifying matches, with ADR growth starting the night prior to games for two consecutive nights, which has allowed hoteliers to benefit longer."

Highlights from key market performers for September 2011 in local currency (year-on-year comparisons):

 Bangkok, Thailand, achieved the largest occupancy increase, rising 26.5% to 68.5%, followed by Jakarta, Indonesia (+24.7% to 71.2%), and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (+21.7% to 77%).

 Shanghai, China, reported the largest decrease in all three key performance metrics. The market's occupancy fell 16.5% to 62.7%, its ADR was down 12.5% to CNY804.56, and its RevPAR decreased 27% to CNY504.39.

 Hong Kong posted the largest ADR increase, rising 24.0% to HKD1,985.22, followed by Jakarta with a 17.9% increase to IDR847,074.02.

 Three markets ended the month with RevPAR increases of 25% or more: Jakarta (+47.1% to IDR603,282.60); Bangkok (+36.8% to THB2,068.36); and Hong Kong (+25.0% to HKD1,563.68).

Highlights from key market performers for September 2011 in U.S. dollars (year-on-year comparisons):

 Three markets reported ADR increases of 20% or more: Hong Kong (+23.5% to US$254.73); Osaka, Japan (+20.8% to US$141.53); and Jakarta (+20% to US$94.79).

 New Delhi, India, reported the largest decreases in ADR (-20.4% to US$152.34) and RevPAR (-29.0% to US$94.68) for the month.

 Three markets achieved RevPAR increases of more than 25%: Jakarta (+49.6% to US$67.51); Bangkok (+34.1% to US$66.25); and Beijing (+25.7% to US$80.32).

The Americas

The Americas region ended September with a 5.4% increase in occupancy to 63.4%, a 3.8% gain in ADR to US$105.08, and a 9.4% jump in RevPAR to US$66.61.

Among the key markets in the region, Miami, Florida, reported the highest occupancy increase, rising 12.6% to 67.0%, followed by Mexico City, Mexico, with an 8.6% increase to 65.7%. Sao Paulo, Brazil (-3.8% to 67.9%), and San Juan, Puerto Rico (-2.9% to 58%), reported the largest occupancy decreases for the month.

Buenos Aires, Argentina, achieved the largest ADR increase, rising 19.4% to US$152.98, followed by Sao Paulo (+14.1% to US$135.81) and Miami (+10.5% to US$119.37). Montreal, Canada, fell 2.9% in ADR to US$131.71, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.

Four markets reported double-digit RevPAR increases: Miami (+24.4% to US$79.94); Buenos Aires (+21.7% to US$107.89); San Francisco, California (+14% to US$151.35); and Los Angeles, California (+13.7% to US$88.50). Montreal fell 3.5% in RevPAR to US$97.85, reporting the only decrease in that metric.

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 2011.

"After a more muted performance in August, European hoteliers reported growth for September in line with the previous months of this year," said Ms. Randall. "While the wider economic climate has become more difficult during the past two months, the hotel market, so far, has continued to see demand increases. However, the hotel industry traditionally lags changes in the broader economy, and should the economic environment become even more challenging during the coming months, demand likely will be impacted."

Highlights from key market performers for September 2011 include (year-on-year comparisons, all currency in euros):

Dusseldorf, Germany (-7.4% to 68.9%), and Malmo, Sweden (-7.3% to 69%), posted the largest occupancy decreases for the month.

Aberdeen, United Kingdom, rose 26% in ADR to EUR102.44, reporting the largest increase in that metric, followed by Lisbon, Portugal, with a 25.6% increase to EUR107.16.

 Three markets experienced double-digit ADR decreases: Cardiff, United Kingdom (-17.9% to EUR62.92); Dusseldorf (-15.4% to EUR95.30); and Cologne, Germany (-12.4% to EUR104.17).

 Aberdeen (+33.3% to EUR85.86); and Lisbon (+31.2% to EUR90.45) both achieved RevPAR increases of more than 30%.

 Dusseldorf fell 21.7% in RevPAR to EUR65.64, reporting the largest decrease in that metric, followed by Cardiff with a 17.9% decrease to EUR47.01.

Middle East/Africa

The region ended the month virtually flat with a 0.1% increase in occupancy to 58.4%, a 1.5% fall in ADR to US$140.89, and a 1.3% decrease in RevPAR to US$82.34.

"After consecutive monthly declines in occupancy since February 2011, the metric finally reported a slight increase in the region, driven by improving conditions in the Middle East and Southern Africa," said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. "The slight increase in occupancy levels came through increased demand with a 3% growth for the month, which was the third month this year with demand growth. July and January were the other two months this year with demand increases of 1.5% and 7.4%  respectively."

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

 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, achieved the highest increase in occupancy, rising 40.5% to 58.9%, followed by Muscat, Oman, with a 13.9% increase to 48.8%.

 Cairo, Egypt, fell 30.9% in occupancy to 41.9%, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.

 Riyadh reported the only double-digit ADR increase, rising 12.6% to US$267.06.

 Sandton, South Africa, and the surrounding areas, fell 17.4% in ADR to US$116.78, posting the largest decrease in that metric, followed by Beirut, Lebanon, with a 15.7% decrease to US$243.60.

 Riyadh jumped 58.2% in RevPAR to US$157.27, experiencing the largest increase in that metric, followed by Dubai with a 20.4% increase to US$135.10.

 Two markets ended the month with double-digit RevPAR decreases: Cairo (-39.6% to US$48.58) and Cape Town, South Africa (-12.7% to US$60.98).

See recent travel news from: Travel News Asia, STR, September 2011