Growing from Strength to Strength – Dubai Hotels put their mark on 2012, conclude 2012 with the highest profits in the region for the third consecutive year.

Monthly performance indicators for Dubai hotels shows Gross Operating Profits per Available Room (GOPPAR) rose 13.8% to US$240.46, the highest profits registered in the surveyed region. Bottom line performance levels were boosted by a 5.2% growth in Total Revenue per Available Room (TRevPAR) and a 4.9% reduction in operating expenses. Occupancy levels remained stable albeit a 0.8 percentage point increase to 84.6 percent, with Average Room Rates (ARR) rising 3.6% to US$322.93. The festive season spurred a growth in food and beverage and leisure revenues which assisted in driving the increase in TRevPAR to US$497.19.

Abu Dhabi hotels continued in their struggle to lift key performance indicators which remained under pressure during the month of December despite a 6.7 percentage point increase in occupancy to 76.0%, attributed to an influx of corporate and leisure demand. On-going rate reductions which are a by-product of the high competition in the capital, fuelled a 14.7% reduction in ARR to US$130.61. Although occupancy levels increased, the decline in ARR resulted in RevPAR falling by 6.5% to US$99.31 which impacted the bottom line by reducing GOPPAR 9.7% to US$90.53.

"December figures for Dubai reflect the continued trend in 2012 as Dubai's uninterrupted string of events, conferences, and festivals maintained a steady stream of demand allowing for GOPPAR levels to increase 13.8% to US$186.45. However, hotels in Abu Dhabi have failed to capitalise on record guest arrivals as hotels continue to struggle with falling rates which have slashed bottom line performance by 18.1% in comparison with 2011 figures" commented Peter Goddard, Managing Director at TRI Hospitality Consulting.

Hotels in Jeddah outperformed the previous year's performance figures for the month of December as demand surged in the city. Hoteliers capitalised on an increased occupancy of 68.1% with a 12.3% increase in ARR to US$229.07, the effects of which trickled down to GOPPAR increasing 16.6% to US$108.11.

On the other hand, Riyadh's hotel market performance wilted during the month of December, as occupancy shrunk 2.3 percentage points to 56.2%, as new market entrants imposed a redistribution of demand. ARR dropped 1.2% to US$260.73, reducing RevPAR 5.1% to US$146.42. The dispersion of corporate demand was reflected in a sharp decrease in meeting room revenues, reducing TRevPAR 4.2% to US$253.88 and dropping GOPPAR 11.1% to US$131.78. 

"New hotel openings in Riyadh are showing their impact on the market's overall performance as new entrants compete with existing properties forcing a reduction in performance indicators. This is likely to continue into to the New Year as a number of new properties including the Fairmont, Nobu Hospitality and Rosewood are all expected to open in 2013. Contrarily, Jeddah's performance, driven by strong corporate and leisure demand, remained strong throughout the year, with bottom line profits increasing 24.2% to US$133.64 compared with 2011." commented Goddard.

Egypt Hotel Performance continues to improve, but rates remain under pressure

Egyptian Hotels show continued signs of recovery with profit margins increasing over 25% in December according to the latest HotStats survey of full service hotels in seven MENA cities by TRI Hospitality Consulting.

Cairo hotels reported an 8.6% increase in Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) to US$46.36, boosted by a 4.2 percentage point growth in occupancy. Although Average Room Rate (ARR) fell 2.7%, the growth in occupancy and food and beverage revenues saw Total Revenue per Available Room (TRevPAR) increase 5.5% to US$95.38. This resulted in Cairo hotels witnessing a 25.6% rise in Gross Operating Profit per Available Room (GOPPAR) to US$41.14.

Hotels in Sharm el Sheikh followed a similar trend to Cairo with occupancy rising 8.3 percentage points to 60.2 percent, however ARR remained under pressure falling 4.5% to US$51.50, due to lower rates in third party agreements which drives demand in the coastal city. The falling rates have seen a change in overall market mix with a proportion of the tours and groups demand being replaced by individual leisure guests. This change in demand has helped hotels grow GOPPAR levels by 26.2% to US$24.64 as the increase in leisure guests resulted in higher food and beverage revenue.

"The growth in occupancy in both Egyptian markets is a positive sign as confidence from regional and international visitor's return with Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh recording a 8.9 and 10.3 percentage point growth respectively from 2011. Sharm el Sheikh room rates remained low during the month of December as well as throughout 2012, as reduced travel agent contracts remain in effect, however increases in other revenues have driven GOPPAR up 22.7% to US$21.91. Cairo's hotels have managed to achieve solid performances by replacing the sinking corporate demand with leisure and conference guests leading to a 25.6% increase in GOPPAR levels" said Goddard.

Monthly performance indicators for Kuwait hotels showed marginal changes in occupancy, albeit with a 0.1 percentage point increase to 53.8%. A severe reduction in group rates, which are exempt from the rate agreement, caused ARR and RevPAR to drop 9.9% and 9.7% respectively to US$235.35 and US$126.72. Substantial increases in food and beverage revenues enhanced TRevPAR 11.2% to US$324.87, lifting profits 15.1% to US$140.52.

"Occupancy levels remained stable in December, however the on-going political and civil unrest in the city has resulted in a 3.2% fall in ARR during 2012. This is attributed to a reduction in leisure demand which typically achieves higher average rates and has forced hoteliers to focus on the discounted tours and groups market in order to maintain occupancy levels. Fortunately for the Kuwait market, a growth in food and beverage revenues driven by a higher utilisation from local residents has helped hotels grow GOPPAR by 5.2% to US$140.72" commented Goddard.