Global Hotel Market Posts Positive Performance Gains in April

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The Americas

According to a new series of reports by STR and STR Global, the Americas region recorded positive results in the three key performance metrics when reported in U.S. dollars for April 2011.

The Americas region ended April with a 4.7-percent increase in occupancy to 61.2 percent, average daily rate was up 3.3 percent to US$103.53, and revenue per available room rose 8.1 percent for the month to US$63.35.

Among the key markets in the region, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, achieved the largest occupancy increase, rising 13.1 percent to 77.4 percent, followed by Miami-Hialeah, Florida, with a 9.5-percent increase to 79.8 percent. Two markets posted occupancy decreases of more than 5 percent: Toronto, Canada (-8.0 percent to 63.4 percent), and Washington, D.C. (-6.0 percent to 73.7 percent).

Sao Paulo, Brazil, jumped 28.4 percent in ADR to US$147.95, reporting the largest increase in that metric. Rio de Janeiro (+15.4 percent to US$207.33) and Miami-Hialeah (+13.1 percent to US$170.73), followed Sao Paulo with the only other double-digit ADR increases. Washington, D.C. (-2.9 percent to US$151.28), and Toronto (-0.4 percent to US$138.37) reported the only ADR decreases for the month.

Three markets experienced RevPAR increases of more than 20 percent: Sao Paulo (+34.4 percent to US$103.46); Rio de Janeiro (+30.6 percent to US$160.48); and Miami-Hialeah (+23.8 percent to US$136.25). Two markets posted RevPAR decreases: Washington, D.C (-8.8 percent to US$111.55), and Toronto (-8.4 percent to US$87.78).

Performances of key countries in April (all monetary units in local currency):

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European

The European hotel industry posted positive results in year-over-year metrics when reported in U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds for April 2011.

Year-over-year, April 2011 figures for Europe (U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds):



"Europe's April performance was impacted by Easter, which took place in mid-April this year compared to beginning of April 2010", said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. "The region's monthly performance also was affected by the volcanic eruption in April 2010 and its ash cloud closing European air space for parts of the month. These counter-forces on the monthly performance make April a difficult month to judge in isolation. Looking on the longer-term trend, Europe has produced a steadily improving occupancy and average room rate performance since March 2010".

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

• Four markets achieved occupancy increases of more than 20 percent: Venice, Italy (+33.2 percent to 79.0 percent); Budapest, Hungary (+24.3 percent to 69.1 percent); Prague, Czech Republic (+22.7 percent to 75.5 percent); and Florence, Italy (+21.2 percent to 76.6).

• Frankfurt, Germany, posted the only double-digit occupancy decrease, falling 11.8 percent to 57.9 percent.

• Salzburg, Austria (+25.8 percent to EUR97.68), and Paris, France (+16.7 percent to EUR219.91), reported the largest ADR increases for the month.

• Munich, Germany, fell 34.0 percent in ADR to EUR93.08, reporting the largest decrease in that metric, followed by Düsseldorf, Germany, with a 21.7-percent decrease to EUR89.10.

• Four markets experienced RevPAR increases of more than 25 percent: Venice (+45.6 percent to EUR203.88); Florence (+32.6 percent to EUR110.15); Paris (+28.5 percent to EUR181.29); Salzburg (+27.0 percent to EUR59.38).

• Three markets reported RevPAR decreases of more than 20 percent: Munich (-36.3 percent to EUR60.99); Düsseldorf (-23.7 percent to EUR46.40); and Frankfurt (-22.5 percent to EUR65.11).

Performances of key countries in April (all monetary units in local currency):

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Middle East/Africa

The Middle East/Africa region reported mixed performance results during April 2011 when reported in U.S. dollars.

The region's occupancy ended the month with a 9.7-percent decrease to 59.0 percent, its average daily rate rose 10.8 percent to US$176.82, and its revenue per available room ended the month virtually flat with a 0.1-percent increase to US$104.25.

"With the Arab Spring and its consequences still ongoing across parts of Northern Africa and the Middle East, Northern Africa reported a 45-percent RevPAR drop, mainly driven by occupancy declines as demand stayed away", said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. "The Middle East's overall performance increased in occupancy and average room rate, driven by improvements in the largest two hotel markets of the region--Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates."

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

• Two markets ended the month with double-digit occupancy increases: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (+17.0 percent to 73.8 percent), and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (+15.7 percent to 69.3 percent).

• Cairo, Egypt, dropped 52.1 percent in occupancy to 33.0 percent, reporting the largest decrease in that metric, followed by Johannesburg, South Africa (-22.1 percent to 46.3 percent), and Muscat, Oman (-20.3 percent to 53.1 percent).

• Johannesburg (+21.6 percent to US$118.06), and Cape Town, South Africa (+15.7 percent to US$153.09), reported the largest ADR increases.

• Three markets experienced double-digit ADR decreases: Abu Dhabi (-20.3 percent to US$164.97); Beirut, Lebanon (-16.8 percent to US$195.19); and Cairo (-12.2 percent to US$114.93).

• Four markets achieved RevPAR increases of more than 10 percent: Riyadh (+27.5 percent to US$210.51); Cape Town (+25.1 percent to US$84.94); Dubai, United Arab Emirates (+13.3 percent to US$216.67); and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (+13.0 percent to US$150.70).

• Cairo fell 57.9 percent in RevPAR to US$37.93, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.

Performances of key countries in April (all monetary units in local currency):

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Asia/Pacific

Hotels in the Asia/Pacific region experienced mostly positive results in the three key performance metrics during April 2011 when reported in U.S. dollars.

In year-over-year measurements, the Asia/Pacific region's occupancy fell 2.1 percent to 64.7 percent, average daily rate increased 14.6 percent to US$143.99, and revenue per available room jumped 12.2 percent to US$93.19.

"Asia/Pacific's overall RevPAR performance continues to be driven by improvements in average room rates", said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. "Out of the 15 countries tracked in our Asia/Pacific Hotel Review, only Japan, following the devastating March earthquake and tsunami, reported a decline in average room rates. Occupancy levels across the region, following a strong re-bounce last year, declined slightly compared to last year".

"Tokyo's demand continued to drop, reporting a 43-percent decline to 1.05 million occupied rooms for April", Randall said. "Osaka's demand dropped 15 percent to 725,000 occupied rooms".

"Bangkok reported a strong bounce in occupancy this month as anti-government demonstrations had started in the Thai capital in April 2010", Randall continued. "The next couple of months are expected to  show a continuing recovery as May and June were the most impacted months last year. In the second-quarter 2010, Bangkok dropped 31 percent in RevPAR compared to the second-quarter 2009".

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

• Bangkok, Thailand, experienced the largest occupancy increase, rising 36.9 percent to 59.3 percent, followed by Mumbai, India, with a 16.5-percent increase to 66.5 percent.

• Tokyo, Japan, fell 42.8 percent in occupancy to 46.4 percent, posting the largest decrease in that metric, followed by Osaka, Japan, which reported a 15.4-percent drop to 69.1 percent.

• Hong Kong, China, rose 26.4 percent in ADR to HKD2061.39, reporting the largest increase in that metric.

• Three markets achieved RevPAR increases of more than 20 percent: Bangkok (+42.3 percent to THB1805.12); Hong Kong (+27.4 percent to HKD1668.12); and Jakarta, Indonesia (+21.7 percent to IDR558290.50).

Performances of key countries in April 2011 (all monetary units in local currency):



Highlights from key market performers for April 2011 (year-over-year comparisons, all currencies in U.S. dollars):

• Osaka, Japan, rose 33 percent in ADR to US$143.96, followed by Brisbane, Australia, which rose 32.4 percent in ADR to US$194.73; Hong Kong (+26.4 percent to US$265.32); Sydney, Australia (+25.4 percent to US$194.96); and Jakarta (+20.4 percent to US$91.79).

• Five markets achieved RevPAR increases of more than 25 percent: Bangkok (+53.6 percent to US$60.19); Brisbane (+30.7 percent to US$141.14); Hong Kong (+27.4 percent to US$214.70); Jakarta (+27.3 percent to US$64.71); and Sydney (+25.2 percent to US$158.53).

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