New data released by hospitality research firm STR Global shows that hotel occupancy rates rose in Dubai in January 2010. The emirate is one of the top three destinations in the Middle East and Africa (MENA) region to record an increase in occupancy rates compared to January 2009. Hotel occupancy in Amman increased 7.1 percent to 44.1 percent, Beirut increased 6.1 percent to 57.6 percent, and Dubai registered a 6.1 percent increase to 72.1 percent.
However, overall occupancy rates in the region declined 2.43 percent to 54.8 percent, revenue per available room fell 4.1 percent to $93.23, and average daily rate decreased 1.9 percent to $170.20. Abu Dhabi hotel occupancy rates plummeted 27.1 percent to 56.5 percent and Muscat’s fell 21.6 percent. The only other country to record a double digit dip was South Africa, with occupancy rates falling 10.1 percent to 47.9 percent. Elizabeth Randall, Managing Director of STR Global, said African countries are boosting the overall results for the MENA region.
