STR Global Posts Middle East/Africa Performance for August, 2009
SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 - The Middle East/Africa region suffered declines in all three key measurements in year-over-year results when reported in U.S. dollars for August 2009, according to data compiled by STR Global.
The region's occupancy dropped 18.2 percent to 59.2 percent; average daily rate decreased 3.7 percent to US$133.31; and revenue per available room decreased 21.2 percent to US$78.89.
'With Ramadan taking place 21 August-19 September 2009, the Middle East/Africa region dropped 21 percent in RevPAR for August falling for the first time behind Europe and the Americas in terms of monthly RevPAR declines,' said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. 'We expect this to be a temporary position. For the year-to-date the region still showed the least declines of all four regions. The RevPAR for most Middle Eastern markets suffered from double-digit occupancy declines as business slowed down.'
Highlights from key markets in the Middle East/Africa region (percentages are August 2009 vs. August 2008):
o Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was the only market to report a single-digit occupancy decrease, falling 1.3 percent to 75.4 percent.
o Muscat, Oman, reported the largest occupancy decrease, falling 38.2 percent to 35.4 percent, followed by Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a 31.5-percent decrease to 38.8 percent.
o Three markets experienced double-digit ADR increases: Beirut, Lebanon (+29.6 percent to US$279.26); Jeddah (+10.6 percent to US$184.48); and Cape Town, South Africa (+10.0 percent to US$110.74).
o Dubai, United Arab Emirates, posted the largest ADR decrease, falling 21.9 percent to US$156.73. Cairo, Egypt, also reported a double-digit ADR decrease, falling 16.2 percent to US$127.03.
o Two markets reported RevPAR increases: Jeddah (+9.2 percent to US$139.13) and Beirut (+6.5 percent to US$209.07).
o Four markets experienced RevPAR declines of more than 30 percent: Muscat (-38.5 percent to US$60.50); Cairo (-36.5 percent to US$73.10); Dubai (-33.6 percent to US$100.46); and Riyadh (-30.1 percent to US$80.67).
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
