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Global hotel market enjoys double-digit glory

Global hotel performance data for 2006 from the HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte shows that all regions – Asia, Central & South America, Europe and the Middle East – enjoyed double-digit growth in…

Global hotel performance data for 2006 from the HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte shows that all regions – Asia, Central & South America, Europe and the Middle East – enjoyed double-digit growth in revenue per available room (revPAR).

The Middle East, led the way for the third consecutive year – posting stronger growth than any other region at 16.5%. Although this was not as strong as in 2005 it is still impressive given the political unrest and terrorist attacks witnessed over the last 12 months. Hotel performance across the region continues to be driven by average room rates – which shot up 17.8% in 2006 to reach US$142.

2006 also proved to be another good year for hoteliers in Central and South America. With the region exceeding the global average for tourist arrivals during 2006 – up over 8% – the hotel industry is reaping the benefits. Overall Central and Southern America reported a 13% increase in revPAR in 2006 as average room rates soared by 12.3% to US$122. Consequently with hotels performing well – the level of investment in the market is on the rise with many international hotel chains increasing their presence across the region. Cities such as Buenos Aires, Caracas and Santiago all saw increases in supply during 2006.

Hotels in Europe had a remarkable year in 2006 – with revPAR up by 12% to US$102 – almost double the growth achieved in 2005. As well as improved economic conditions, Europe has also staged some of the most enticing sports spectacles from the Winter Olympics in Italy to World Cup in Germany and the America’s Cup in Spain. Lovers of music and art have also travelled to the region to celebrate the work of Rembrandt, Picasso and Mozart.

Asia Pacific was dealt some tough cards in 2006 – the earthquake in Yogyakarta, the terrorist attacks on Mumbai’s commuter trains and more recently a series of bomb explosions in Bangkok over the New Year celebrations – however, despite this the region has once again come up trumps with revPAR up 11%. Growth across the region is being fuelled predominately by markets in the South – in particular India which saw revPAR increase by over 30% in 2006.

Lorna Clarke, Executive Director of HotelBenchmark at Deloitte commented: “2006 has been an excellent year for the hotel industry with all regions managing to achieve double-digit growth – and many seeing this for the second and third consecutive year. The combination of robust economic performance, high profile international events, the growing popularity of newly emerging tourism destinations, coupled with people`s increasing desire to travel and experience new things – have all been key in driving performance forwards. The outlook for the hotel market in 2007 looks good – however the rate of growth is likely to slow. This is very much in line with global economic and tourism indicators – which both show performance cooling slightly this year. Also markets such as Europe simply do not have the number of high profile events taking place in 2007 as they did last year.”

Performance of global hotel markets – 2006 versus 2005

Occupancy Average Room Rate RevPAR
2006 Change 2006 change 2006 Change
% % US$ % US$ %
Middle East 68.7 -1.0 142 17.8 97 16.5
Central
& South America
64.7 0.6 122 12.3 71 13.0
Europe 69.9 3.1 146 8.7 102 12.1
Asia 71.3 0.1 122 10.9 87 11.0

Source: HotelBenchmark™ Survey by Deloitte

Note: All analysis in US$.

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Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.

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