The hospitality industry plays a vital role in the economic development of major cities around the world. Cairo, Makkah, Doha, Manama, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai show positive trends in the latest EY Middle East Hotel Benchmark Survey.
Cairo
In August 2023, Cairo’s hotel occupancy dropped 2.8 percent, but a significant increase in ADR to USD 145 led to a 75.6 percent RevPAR growth.
Promotion via English Premier League, Citadel Festival and Delhi-Cairo flights is expected to boost Cairo’s hospitality sector.
New easyJet flights, the Egypt-South Korea tourism partnership, the Cairo Jazz Festival, and the International Agricultural Exhibition are expected to benefit Cairo’s hospitality sector.
Makkah
Makkah’s hotel market saw a 28.3 percent RevPAR increase due to a 2.2 percent occupancy decrease and a 32 percent ADR rise.
Additionally, the month’s hospitality success can be attributed to the influx of Umrah pilgrims and the budget packages offered by hotels.
Saudi initiatives like increasing Pakistan flights and cost reduction for pilgrims, along with religious tourism growth, enhance the sector.
Doha
Doha’s hotel sector saw a 5.2 percent occupancy decline and a 4.1 percent ADR drop, resulting in a 13.5 percent RevPAR decrease.
Furthermore, the weak hospitality sector performance is linked to lower occupancy due to the addition of 3,000 new hotel rooms and fewer events.
Sports events, the Katara Traditional Dhow Festival, and Doha EXPO 2023 will contribute to the improvement of Doha’s hospitality sector.
Manama
Manama’s hotel sector saw a 9.3 percent RevPAR decrease due to a 0.7 percent occupancy drop and an 8.1 percent ADR decrease.
A lack of MICE events likely contributed to the country’s subdued hospitality sector performance.
The 10th Bahrain International eGovernment Forum and COMEX Bahrain 2023 are expected to contribute to a slight improvement in Bahrain’s sector performance.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s hotel market saw a 29.1 percent RevPAR increase, driven by an 11.6 percent ADR increase and 10.9 percent occupancy growth.
International Basketball Week, USDA Basketball Showcase and Yas Island attractions boosted Abu Dhabi’s hospitality performance in the month.
Abu Dhabi’s hospitality sector will thrive with events like ADIHEX 2023 in addition to festivals and reduced government fees.
Dubai
Dubai’s hospitality sector observed an increase across all KPIs in August 2023 when compared to August 2022.
Additionally, the hotel sector had a 10.4 percent occupancy growth and 3.5 percent ADR increase, leading to a 20.6 percent RevPAR growth.
Furthermore, the success of the hospitality sector can be attributed to events like DSS 2023, summer campaigns and enticing deals.
Dubai’s sector will benefit from events like Cardano Summit, Emirates Dubai 7s, 6th Forex Expo and Automechanika Dubai with large attendance.
The hospitality sectors in these cities reflect a dynamic interplay of various factors, from international events and tourism initiatives to economic policies and local attractions.
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector.
Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC).
She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book.
She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter.
Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler.
It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
The EY Survey highlights a flourishing hospitality
The hospitality industry plays a vital role in the economic development of major cities around the world. Cairo, Makkah, Doha, Manama, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai show positive trends in the latest EY Middle East Hotel Benchmark Survey.
Cairo
In August 2023, Cairo’s hotel occupancy dropped 2.8 percent, but a significant increase in ADR to USD 145 led to a 75.6 percent RevPAR growth.
Promotion via English Premier League, Citadel Festival and Delhi-Cairo flights is expected to boost Cairo’s hospitality sector.
New easyJet flights, the Egypt-South Korea tourism partnership, the Cairo Jazz Festival, and the International Agricultural Exhibition are expected to benefit Cairo’s hospitality sector.
Makkah
Makkah’s hotel market saw a 28.3 percent RevPAR increase due to a 2.2 percent occupancy decrease and a 32 percent ADR rise.
Additionally, the month’s hospitality success can be attributed to the influx of Umrah pilgrims and the budget packages offered by hotels.
Saudi initiatives like increasing Pakistan flights and cost reduction for pilgrims, along with religious tourism growth, enhance the sector.
Doha
Doha’s hotel sector saw a 5.2 percent occupancy decline and a 4.1 percent ADR drop, resulting in a 13.5 percent RevPAR decrease.
Furthermore, the weak hospitality sector performance is linked to lower occupancy due to the addition of 3,000 new hotel rooms and fewer events.
Sports events, the Katara Traditional Dhow Festival, and Doha EXPO 2023 will contribute to the improvement of Doha’s hospitality sector.
Manama
Manama’s hotel sector saw a 9.3 percent RevPAR decrease due to a 0.7 percent occupancy drop and an 8.1 percent ADR decrease.
A lack of MICE events likely contributed to the country’s subdued hospitality sector performance.
The 10th Bahrain International eGovernment Forum and COMEX Bahrain 2023 are expected to contribute to a slight improvement in Bahrain’s sector performance.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s hotel market saw a 29.1 percent RevPAR increase, driven by an 11.6 percent ADR increase and 10.9 percent occupancy growth.
International Basketball Week, USDA Basketball Showcase and Yas Island attractions boosted Abu Dhabi’s hospitality performance in the month.
Abu Dhabi’s hospitality sector will thrive with events like ADIHEX 2023 in addition to festivals and reduced government fees.
Dubai
Dubai’s hospitality sector observed an increase across all KPIs in August 2023 when compared to August 2022.
Additionally, the hotel sector had a 10.4 percent occupancy growth and 3.5 percent ADR increase, leading to a 20.6 percent RevPAR growth.
Furthermore, the success of the hospitality sector can be attributed to events like DSS 2023, summer campaigns and enticing deals.
Dubai’s sector will benefit from events like Cardano Summit, Emirates Dubai 7s, 6th Forex Expo and Automechanika Dubai with large attendance.
The hospitality sectors in these cities reflect a dynamic interplay of various factors, from international events and tourism initiatives to economic policies and local attractions.
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Rita Ghantous
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.