STR Global: Middle East/Africa January results

The region reported an 8.2% increase in occupancy to 59.8%, a 1.3% increase in average daily rate to $182.81 and a 9.6% increase in revenue per available room to $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 percent change," said Elizabeth Randall Winkle, managing director of STR Global. "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-over-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 $241.24, achieving the largest increase in that metric.
• Beirut, Lebanon, experienced the only double-digit ADR decrease, falling 25.5% to $157.26.
• Manama (+39.8% to $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 $72.79, reporting the largest decrease in that metric, followed by Amman with a 22.5% decrease to $72.60.