The hospitality sector in MENA is off to a strong start in 2014, and GCC cities like Muscat, Doha and Dubai are witnessing robust growth, according to Muscat Daily News.
Muscat’s hospitality sector saw an increase of 15.5 per cent in January 2014 compared to the same period last year, mainly due to growth in average hotel occupancy from 71 per cent to 85 per cent.
The boom has been attributed to the Ministry of Tourism's partnership with Oman Air as well as a number of hotels to launch holiday packages 'Oman Short Breaks' to attract more visitors from other GCC countries.
Commenting on the survey, Yousef Wahbah, partner and head of MENA Transaction Real Estate at EY said, “This year, January was good for the hospitality industry in the Middle East, with several GCC cities, including Dubai, Doha and Muscat witnessing robust growth in their hospitality Key Performance Indicators. “As usual for the winter months, GCC recorded positive growth across its key hospitality markets with its mild winter weather and numerous events attracting tourists from across the world.”
Wahbah said that Dubai’s hospitality market recorded an average occupancy rate of 87 per cent in January 2014. “In addition, over 2,780 new hotel rooms in the four and five-star segments were added last year. The city’s hospitality market also saw a jump in average room rates from US$308 in January 2013 to US$337 in January this year.”
During January, Doha’s hospitality market recorded average occupancy levels of 70 per cent, an increase of nine per cent over the same period last year. “The increase is primarily due to the growth in business travel as several project tenders have been issued in relation to the Qatar World Cup in 2022. Additionally, Doha International Airport announced a record 2.2mn passengers travelled in January this year, an increase of 18 per cent from January last year.
Muscat’s hospitality sector saw an increase of 15.5 per cent in January 2014 compared to the same period last year, mainly due to growth in average hotel occupancy from 71 per cent to 85 per cent.
The boom has been attributed to the Ministry of Tourism's partnership with Oman Air as well as a number of hotels to launch holiday packages 'Oman Short Breaks' to attract more visitors from other GCC countries.
Commenting on the survey, Yousef Wahbah, partner and head of MENA Transaction Real Estate at EY said, “This year, January was good for the hospitality industry in the Middle East, with several GCC cities, including Dubai, Doha and Muscat witnessing robust growth in their hospitality Key Performance Indicators. “As usual for the winter months, GCC recorded positive growth across its key hospitality markets with its mild winter weather and numerous events attracting tourists from across the world.”
Wahbah said that Dubai’s hospitality market recorded an average occupancy rate of 87 per cent in January 2014. “In addition, over 2,780 new hotel rooms in the four and five-star segments were added last year. The city’s hospitality market also saw a jump in average room rates from US$308 in January 2013 to US$337 in January this year.”
During January, Doha’s hospitality market recorded average occupancy levels of 70 per cent, an increase of nine per cent over the same period last year. “The increase is primarily due to the growth in business travel as several project tenders have been issued in relation to the Qatar World Cup in 2022. Additionally, Doha International Airport announced a record 2.2mn passengers travelled in January this year, an increase of 18 per cent from January last year.
Source:
Mubasher
