New data released by STR Global shows Middle East hotels are the least affected by the economic downturn, although RevPar (revenue per available room) dropped 17.5% for the year ending 30 June 2009. Deloitte said RevPar in June was $132 across the Middle East and average room and occupancy rates also fell due to the global economic crisis. Beirut hotels had the strongest RevPar growth in the world in H1, increasing 124.4% to $117.
Deloitte consultant Rob O’Hanlon explained “Increased political stability helped the cities hoteliers increase occupancy by 72.1 per cent to reach 66.9 per cent, while average room rates grew 30.3 percent to $175.” Mr. O’Hanlon is Tourism, Hotel, and Leisure Partner for Deloitte in the Middle East. Abu Dhabi RevPar grew 6.9% for year ending 30-June 2009, Amman 3.2%, and Jeddah 2.4%. Dubai has the second highest RevPar in the region, after Abu Dhabi, and the fourth highest in the world.
