Four Gulf cities post strong tourism growth in Sept
1Four Gulf tourism markets recorded double-digit RevPAR increases in September, with Dubai leading the way, according to new data from STR Global.
Hotels in Dubai posted a 16.9 percent increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR) last month to $148.07.
Doha was also a strong performer – up 14.9 percent to $117.10, while Jeddah (up 13.1 percent to $188.94) and Muscat (up 10.3 percent to $120.92) also registering double-digit growth.
Doha also posted the biggest occupancy rate rise in the Middle East and Africa region, an increase of 22.7 percent to 66 percent, STR Global said.
Hotels in Abu Dhabi also reported strong growth with a 12.5 percent increase to 67.4 percent.
Cairo reported the largest occupancy decrease, falling 52.8 percent to 24.7 percent.
For average daily rates (ADR), Jeddah registered the biggest rise in September of 11.5 percent to $238.96 while Beirut was the worst performer with a 13.1 percent drop to $144.20.
Regionally, the Middle East/Africa region reported a 4.2 percent decrease to 58.1 percent in occupancy, a seven percent rise to $145.81 in ADR and a 2.5 percent rise to $84.78 in RevPAR.
Year-to-date September 2013, the region?s occupancy rose 1.7 percent to 60.5 percent, its ADR was up 3.3 percent to $160.82 and its RevPAR increased 5.1 percent to $97.35.
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