STR Reports Global Hotel Performance for January 2013

According to data compiled by STR Global, hotels in the Asia Pacific region experienced mixed results in the three key performance metrics in January 2013 when reported in U.S. dollars.

In January 2013, the Asia Pacific region's occupancy ended the month with a 7.7% increase to 65.2%, ADR decreased 6.3% to US$130.39 and RevPAR was up 1.0% to US$85.00.

"Despite having a 6.3% ADR decline in U.S. dollars for January 2013, the occupancy increase of 7.7% for the month helped the region achieve a positive RevPAR growth of 1% in US$," said Elizabeth Randall Winkle, managing director of STR Global. "For Central and South Asia, India is driving down the ADR with a drop of 9.3% US$ for the month of January. Northeast Asia, which includes the regions of China and Japan, had their year-on-year changes impacted by the Chinese New Year. In 2013, the celebrations were held entirely in February, whereas in 2012 it was split between January and February. Overall, Northeast Asia saw an ADR decline of 11.2% in US$."

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

- Four markets experienced occupancy increases of more than 20%: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (+37.6% to 76.3%); Shanghai, China (+33.3% to 57.7%); Hanoi, Vietnam (+28.4% to 68.0%); and Beijing, China (+23.5% to 63.5%).

- Bali, Indonesia, posted the only double-digit occupancy decrease, falling 19.5% to 61.3%.

- Taipei, Taiwan (+23.1% to TWD5,961.48), and Jakarta, Indonesia (+21.8% to IDR1,026,606.50) experienced the largest ADR increases for the month.

- Delhi, India, fell 11.4% in ADR to INR7,337.10, posting the largest decrease in that metric.

- Three markets achieved RevPAR increases of more than 30%: Shanghai (+37.1% to CNY345.54); Beijing (+34.8% to CNY388.30); and Ho Chi Minh City (+34.7% to VND2,029,368.15).

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

- Taipei achieved the largest ADR increase, rising 24.3% to US$201.70.

- Delhi (-16.6% to US$137.30) and Osaka, Japan (-14.1% to US$111.94), posted the largest ADR decreases for the month.

- Three markets experienced RevPAR increases of more than 35%: Shanghai (+37.4% to US$54.95); Ho Chi Minh City (+36.6% to US$97.45); and Beijing (+35.1% to US$61.75).

- Delhi fell 19.6% in RevPAR to US$86.66, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.

The Americas

In January, the Americas region reported a 3.3% increase in occupancy to 51.3%, a 4.8% gain in ADR to US$109.21 and an 8.3% jump in RevPAR to US$56.04.

Among the key markets in the region, New York, New York, reported the largest occupancy increase, rising 11.4% to 73.8%. Buenos Aires, Argentina (-12.2% to 52.7%), and Panama City, Panama (-12.2% to 50.3%) posted the largest occupancy decreases for the month.

Three markets experienced double-digit ADR increases: Washington, D.C. (+17.0% to US$151.75); Miami, Florida (+12.2% to US$211.11); and San Juan, Puerto Rico (+11.2% to US$209.30).

Four markets achieved RevPAR increases of more than 15%: Washington, D.C. (+25.8% to US$79.24); San Juan (+18.4% to US$158.09); Miami (+17.5% to US$174.26); and New York (+16.3% to US$145.17).

Panama City reported the largest ADR (-9.4% to US$113.93) and RevPAR (-20.5% to US$57.27) decreases for the month.

Europe

"In euros, Europe's first month of the new year posted negative RevPAR results, being driven by a decline in ADR," said Ms Randall Winkle. "Western Europe was the only region in Europe to post positive RevPAR growth, with an increase in occupancy of 1.4% and ADR of 0.3% in euros. Germany is one of the main contributors within Western Europe to achieve positive results during the first month of 2013, achieving a RevPAR growth of 7.2% in euros."

Highlights from key market performers for January 2013 include (year-on-year comparisons, all currency in euros):

- Bratislava, Slovakia (+20.9% to 42.8%), and Copenhagen, Denmark (+10.2% to 51.0%), reported the largest occupancy increases for the month.

- Reykjavik, Iceland, reported the largest ADR increase, rising 23.1% to EUR68.88, followed by Tallinn, Estonia, with an 11.9% increase to EUR74.43.

- Warsaw, Poland, reported the only double-digit ADR decrease, falling 12.1% to EUR63.12.

- Three markets experienced RevPAR increases of more than 15%: Reykjavik (+26.5% to EUR30.31); Bratislava (+18.4% to EUR26.94); and Tallinn (+16.4% to EUR35.57).

Middle East/Africa

The region reported an 8.2% increase in occupancy to 59.8%, a 1.3% increase in ADR to US$182.81 and a 9.6% increase in RevPAR to US$109.29.

"The entire region posted a 9.6% increase in RevPAR for the first month of 2013 and was the best global performer in RevPAR% change," Ms. Randall Winkle said. "The Middle East is growing in both occupancy and ADR. Whilst still recovering in occupancy, the ADR in the African nations is still suffering as a result of continued political turmoil. Southern Africa showed a growing ADR of 8.3% (local currency)."

Highlights among the region's key markets for January 2013 include (year-on-year comparisons, all currency in U.S. dollars):

- Manama, Bahrain, reported the largest occupancy increase, rising 40.0% to 56.6%, followed by Cairo, Egypt (+17.2% to 42.7%), and Muscat, Oman (+14.9% to 67.9%).

- Amman, Jordan, fell 29.4% in occupancy to 45.7%, posting the largest decrease in that metric.

- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, increased 14.0% in ADR to US$241.24, achieving the largest increase in that metric.

- Beirut, Lebanon, experienced the only double-digit ADR decrease, falling 25.5% to US$157.26.

- Manama (+39.8% to US$120.39) and Cairo (+14.5% to US$44.83) achieved the largest RevPAR increases for the month.

- Beirut fell 34.7% in RevPAR to US$72.79, reporting the largest decrease in that metric, followed by Amman with a 22.5% decrease to US$72.60.