STR Reports Global Hotel Performance for February 2013

According to data compiled by STR Global, hotels in the Asia Pacific region experienced mixed results in the three key performance metrics in February 2013 when reported in U.S. dollars.

In February, the Asia Pacific region's occupancy ended the month with an 8.1% decrease to 62.5%, its ADR increased 3.5% to US$135.50 and RevPAR was down 4.8% to US$84.76.

"The region saw strong performance increases across all three key metrics," said Elizabeth Winkle, managing director of STR Global. "However, China primarily saw decreases across the country due to the Chinese New Year, which fell on 9 February this year (compared with 23 January 2012). The country saw steep declines in both occupancy (-19.9% to 48.9%) and RevPAR (-13.8% to US$52.49). Historically, hotels see a dip in performance during the New Year celebrations as national holidays is observed and commercial activities decrease."

Highlights from key market performers for February in local currency (year-on-year comparisons):

Bangkok, Thailand, rose 10.7% to 83.5%, reporting the largest occupancy increase.

Beijing, China (-29.4% to 45.3%), and Shanghai, China (-29.0% to 43.3%), posted the largest occupancy decreases for the month.

Four markets experienced double-digit ADR increases: Jakarta, Indonesia (+20.6% to IDR 1,083,227.38); Bali, Indonesia (+16.9% to IDR 1,302,882.66); Phuket, Thailand (+13.6% to THB5,276.98); and Tokyo, Japan (+10.3% to JPY15,016.74).

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, fell 13.9% in ADR to VND2,520,607.40, reporting the largest decrease in that metric. Beijing followed with an 11.4% decrease in ADR to CNY527.62.

Four markets achieved RevPAR increases of more than 15%: Phuket (+21.0% to THB4,756.75); Bali (+19.5% to IDR 832,071.37); Osaka, Japan (+18.3% to JPY8,365.03); and Bangkok (+17.1% to THB2,733.03).

Beijing (-37.4% to CNY238.85) and Shanghai (-34.6% to CNY251.15) reported the largest RevPAR decreases.

Highlights from key market performers for February in U.S. dollars (year-on-year comparisons):

Phuket (+15.7% to US$176.67) reported the largest ADR increase in February, followed by Jakarta (+13.3% to US$111.46) and Manila, Philippines (+10.9% to US$136.80).

Delhi-NCR, India, fell 18.3% in ADR to US$145.04, posting the largest decrease in that metric.

Three markets experienced RevPAR increases of more than 10%: Phuket (+23.2% to US$159.25); Bangkok (+19.3% to US$91.50); and Bali (+12.2% to US$85.62).

Beijing (-37.2% to US$37.97) and Shanghai (-34.5% to US$39.93) reported the largest RevPAR decreases for the month.

Americas

In February, the Americas region reported a 1.9% increase in occupancy to 58.8%, a 3.9% gain in ADR to US$110.94 and a 5.8% jump in RevPAR to US$65.28.

Among the key markets in the region, Boston, Massachusetts (+5.8% to 60.0%), and New York, New York (+5.8% to 76.3%), reported the largest occupancy increases for the month. Panama City, Panama, reported the only double-digit occupancy decrease, falling 16.3% to 54.7%.

Miami, Florida, rose 9.6% in ADR to US$220.95, achieving the largest increase in that metric. Santiago, Chile, followed with an 8.8% increase to US$168.95. Panama City posted the largest ADR decrease, falling 8.4% to US$119.62, followed by Buenos Aires, Argentina (-6.2% to US$142.89).

Two markets experienced double-digit RevPAR increases: Miami (+13.2% to US$190.66) and New York (+10.0% to US$149.43). Panama City (-23.3% to US$65.48) and Buenos Aires (-11.2% to US$84.26) reported the only double-digit RevPAR decreases for the month.

Europe

The European hotel industry posted mixed results in year-on-year metrics when reported in U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds for February 2013.

"The winter weather in Europe hindered performance across the region," said Ms Winkle. "Major airports saw delays and closures due to the winter storm earlier in the month, which affected hotel performance across the region. Hotels surrounding Heathrow, Gatwick and Amsterdam airports especially saw both ADR and RevPAR decreases for the month when measured in respective local currency."

Highlights from key market performers for February 2013 include (year-on-year comparisons, all currency in euros):

Bratislava, Slovakia, rose 23.6% in occupancy to 45.1%, reporting the largest increase in that metric, followed by Tallinn, Estonia, with an 11.2% increase to 45.6%.

Istanbul, Turkey, ended the month with the only double-digit ADR increase, rising 14.8% to EUR127.34.

Warsaw, Poland, fell 12.6% in ADR to EUR65.41, posting the largest decrease in that metric.

Three markets achieved RevPAR increases of more than 15%: Bratislava (+23.6% to EUR29.22); Tallinn (+17.1% to EUR29.07); and Istanbul (+15.4% to EUR80.94).

Geneva fell 18.1% in RevPAR to EUR120.05, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.

Middle East/Africa

The Middle East/Africa region reported a 6.4% increase in occupancy to 66.4%, a 2.9% increase in ADR to US$176.55 and a 9.5% increase in RevPAR to US$117.24.

"The Middle East/Africa region reported positive performance increases across the board," Ms Winkle said. "Dubai in particular reported significant increases in both supply and demand within the Luxury segment, illustrating the market's appetite for these hotels", she added. "However, the emirate's Upper Midscale, Midscale and Economy segments collectively saw the highest ADR growth in both February and year-end 2012 data."

Highlights among the region's key markets for February 2013 include (year-on-year comparisons, all currency in U.S. dollars):

Three markets experienced double-digit occupancy increases: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (+18.3% to 76.4%); Muscat, Oman (+16.2% to 83.0%); and Cape Town, South Africa (+13.1% to 83.6%).

Amman, Jordan, fell 31.9% in occupancy to 53.6%, posting the largest decrease in that metric.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, increased 10.3% in ADR to US$227.49, reporting the only double-digit increase in that metric.

Beirut, Lebanon, reported the largest ADR decrease, falling 19.8% to US$156.07.

Four markets achieved double-digit RevPAR increases: Abu Dhabi (+24.2% to US$143.41); Muscat (+15.8% to US$205.47); Jeddah (+10.5% to US$179.95); and Dubai, United Arab Emirates (+10.4% to US$238.36).

Amman (-25.8% to US$83.83) and Beirut (-25.6% to US$83.27) reported the largest RevPAR decreases for the month.