Hotel occupancy in the Middle East was recorded at 69.8 per cent during the month of February representing an increase of 6.1 per cent from the corresponding period in 2010, said a report.

The region’s RevPAR (revenue per available room) also increased by 7.8 per cent to $153 during of February, comparing with $78 in Europe, $93 in the Asia Pacific region, and $57 in the Americas, according to Deloitte’s analysis of Selected STR global hotel performance data for the Middle East.

Abu Dhabi’s occupancy during the month of February was 74.1 per cent, compared to 58.2 per cent during the corresponding period in 2010, the report said.

RevPAR in the city was $164 during February compared to $135 during February 2010.

The month of February 2011 witnessed events such as Formula drift & the Saadiyat Island cultural district exhibition contributing to the significant increase in occupancy in the city.

Dubai’s hotels witnessed an increase in occupancy of 1.3 per cent to reach 86.8 per cent during the month of February 2011, which is an achievement in the face of increased supply, the report said.

The city’s hotels witnessed an increase of 2 per cent in RevPAR to reach $216 during the month of February. The city conducted events including Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship, Skywards International jazz festival & Middle East Xcat powerboat series to achieve an increase in occupancy, according to the report.

Hotels in Beirut witnessed occupancy of 37.4 per cent during the month of February compared to 70.1 per cent the same period last year.

RevPAR for the city witnessed a decline of 58.8 per cent to $70 during the month.

Jeddah’s occupancy was recorded at 65.8 per cent during the month of February with a 3.7 per cent decline from the corresponding period in 2010, the report said.

RevPAR for the city witnessed an increase of 2.9 per cent to reach $137 during the month of February, compared to $133 in the corresponding period in 2010.

The city is still recovering from flood damages causing a negative impact on the occupancy during the month February, the report said.

Muscat’s hotel occupancy was recorded at 76.6 per cent during February, up by 8.2 per cent from 70.8 per cent last February.

The city’s RevPAR during February increased by 18.7 per cent to $211, compared to $178 in 2010.

Events including the Muscat Festival & Muscat International Book Fair had been a major contributor for occupancy growth in the month, the Deloitte report said. – TradeArabia News Service