STR Reports Global Hotel Performance for May 2010

According to data compiled by STR Global, hotels in the Asia Pacific region experienced increases in all three key performance metrics for May 2010 when reported in U.S. dollars.

 In year-on-year measurements, the Asia Pacific region's ORs rose 15.3% to 63.1%, ADR increased 8.6% to US$125.52, and RevPAR jumped 25.2% to US$79.24.

Highlights from key market performers for May 2010: (year-on-year comparisons, all currency in U.S. dollars)

- Shanghai, China, experienced the largest occupancy increase, rising 55% to 71.7%, followed by Beijing, China (+34.4% to 65.3%); Hong Kong, China (+28.7% to 78.3%); and Osaka, Japan (+27.8% to 77.3%).

- Bangkok, Thailand, posted the only occupancy decrease, falling 38.4% to 26.2%.

- Shanghai reported the largest ADR increase, up 29.3% to US$142.52.

- Four markets reported ADR decreases: Bangkok (-11.9% to US$76.77); New Delhi, India (-7.7% to US$148.37); Osaka (-5.9% to US$119.95); and Mumbai, India (-4.4% to US$171.84).

- Shanghai's RevPAR soared 100.5% to US$102.18, reporting the largest increase in that metric. Three other markets posted RevPAR increases of more than 40%: Hong Kong (+51.9% to US$145.58); Beijing (+45.4% to US$62.74); and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (+40.4% to US$71.65).

- Bangkok reported the only RevPAR decrease, falling 45.8% to US$20.10.

"The Asia Pacific region continues to lead the RevPAR recovery of the global regions and it is good to see that both occupancy and average daily rate improved since the beginning of the year," said Elizabeth Randall, STR Global's managing director. "The RevPAR growth rate slowed slightly from 29% in March and 26% in April to now 25% in May, which is a still impressive comeback from last year."

"The Expo 2010, which started in May, brought Shanghai the top spot of RevPAR growth (+101%) for May," Randall added. "Shanghai expects 70 million visitors before the Expo's closure at the end of October. Bangkok suffered from the political protests and travel advisories against it in April and May and reported the only RevPAR decline of key cities in Asia Pacific."

Americas Results for May 2010

The Americas region recorded positive results in the three key performance metrics when reported in U.S. dollars for May 2010. The region's occupancy rose in the month of May by 7.5% to 59.1%, ADR ended the month virtually flat with a 0.2% decrease to US$99.10, and RevPAR increased 7.8% to US$58.54.

Among the region's key markets, Mexico City, reported the largest occupancy increase, soaring 154.8% to 59.2%, followed by Buenos Aires, Argentina (+19% to 61.4%), Sao Paulo, Brazil (+17.7% to 70%), and San Juan, Puerto Rico (+17.4% to 75.6%). Alberta, Canada, was the only key market to post an occupancy decrease, falling 3.5% to 56.7%.

Four key markets experienced ADR increases of 15% or more: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (+27.3% to US$164.35); Sao Paulo (+21.5% to US$106.92); Mexico City (+18.2% to US$113.66); and New York, New York (+15% to US$231.38). Chicago, Illinois, reported the largest ADR decrease, falling 5.2% to US$113.77, followed by San Juan with a 1.7% decrease to US$152.75.

Mexico City jumped 201.3% in RevPAR to US$67.32, reporting the largest increase in that metric. Two other markets posted RevPAR increases of more than 40%: Rio de Janeiro (+44.5% to US$112.60) and Sao Paulo (+42.9% to US$74.80). Alberta was the only market to report a RevPAR decrease, falling 3% to US$71.06.

Middle East / Africa May 2010 results

This region's occupancy ended the month virtually flat with a 0.8% increase to 62.2%, ADR increased 1.3% to US$144.35, and RevPAR grew 2.1% to US$89.75.

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

- Amman, Jordan, reported the largest occupancy increase, rising 13.9% to 71.1%, followed by Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with an 8.1% increase to 70.4%.

- Abu Dhabi, UAE, reported the largest decreases in all three key metrics: Occupancy fell 24.8% to 55.2%; ADR dropped 37% to US$188.86; and RevPAR decreased 52.6% to US$104.17.

- Johannesburg, South Africa, was the only market, besides Abu Dhabi, to report a double-digit occupancy decrease, falling 11.1% to 57.7%.

- Two markets posted double-digit ADR increases: Beirut, Lebanon (+27.4% to US$210.57), and Johannesburg (+19.5% to US$106.53).

- Muscat, Oman, fell 8.8% in ADR to US$202.42, followed by Dubai with a 7.4-percent decrease to US$191.94.

- Beirut rose 24.6% in RevPAR to US$147.66, followed by Amman with a 17.8-percent increase to US$114.44.

"We saw good performances across Africa outbalancing performance in the Middle East for May," said Elizabeth Randall. "The build-up to the World Cup didn't translate into occupancy growth for the Southern Africa region, declining 5% compared to May 2009. That gave the region the lowest occupancy (55%) of the global sub-regions. On the other hand Northern Africa achieved the highest occupancy (70%) of all sub-regions."

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