France, Benelux and Portugal led the European hotel industry growth during first semester of 2018
The latest ECM-MKG European Destinations Observatory report* points out that, in European cities, the Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)** experienced a 3.6% growth after 6 months in 2018. The Occupancy Rate*** increased by 0.9 points and the Average Daily Rate (ADR)**** by 2.3%. Midscale and Upscale/Upper Upscale are on a dynamic trend with a RevPAR that rose respectively by 4.3% and 3.1% compared to last year. Overall, a growth can be observed throughout Europe, especially in France, Benelux and Portugal.
The RevPAR in Benelux and France grew healthily during the first 6 months of 2018.
Belgium and the Netherlands observed an increase in their hotel performances, (+8.8%) and for their RevPAR. Brussels’ RevPAR rose by 8.9%, mostly thanks to a 4.9% increase in its Average Daily Rate. Ghent (+4%) is on a positive trend too. In this Benelux area, Luxembourg, had a RevPAR increase (+3%), while Amsterdam after the organization of international business events, recorded a RevPAR increase of 7.9% and the second highest occupancy rate among this sample of cities. France showed a growth (+8.1%) thanks to its strong touristic pole: Paris, knew a 2.8-point increase in occupation rate, and a RevPAR rise of 8.1%. Other cities like Nice (+13.5%) Montpellier (+7.7%) and Dijon (2.8%) also recorded a RevPAR increase. Biarritz/Bayonne is on a negative trend (RevPAR: -6.1%), as Lyon and Marseille (respectively -1.3% and -1.2%).
In the United Kingdom and Germany, the RevPAR is on a slight positive trend
London (2nd), Hamburg (5th) and Liverpool (7th) are in the top 10 of the best occupancy rates in Europe. In Germany, some cities are on a downward trend (Düsseldorf, Cologne and Hannover), in spite of a strong business activity, while Nuremberg, Stuttgart and Dresden recorded a RevPAR increase of 9.8%, 7.9% and 6.3% respectively.
Italy posts an increase in its RevPAR (+3.4%). This positive change can be explained by the good results recorded in Milan (+6.1%), Bologna (+2.8%) or Rome (+2.1%). Venice continues to be on a negative trend (RevPAR: -8.8%) but the occupancy rate increased compared to last year.
On the Iberian Peninsula, tourist arrivals continue to grow
Under the effect of Spain and Portugal’s internal dynamics (improved economic context) and carryovers of visitors from Mediterranean destinations affected by different events since a few years. All cities in Spain (+1.8%) and Portugal (+8.2%) gained a strong RevPAR increase for the beginning of year. For example, Madrid noted an increase of 1.6% following the hosting of many international business meetings this year. On the other hand, Barcelona recorded a RevPAR decrease by 6.6%. Other cities had an improvement in their RevPAR: Zaragoza, Valencia and Seville knew a RevPAR increase between 8.5% and 14%. Lisbon, which organized a few international conventions in this first part of the year, also posted a RevPAR increase of 6.3%.
Eastern Europe’s performances are heterogeneous
Warsaw posted a stable RevPAR (-0.4%) in spite of a rise in Average Daily Rate (+2.4%). Budapest, thanks to its solid business activity, is off to a good start this year, counting a RevPAR increase of 9.3%. Vienna recorded a stable RevPAR but Prague, which hosted many congresses and conferences, also noted a RevPAR improvement (+1.9%): the occupancy rate rose by +1.6 point and the Average Daily Rate is stable (-0.2%) compared to 2017.
All ECM members have exclusive access to the complete ECM-MKG European Destinations Observatory report with all the graphs and analysis.
*ECM-MKG European Destinations Observatory report: A report produced by MKG Hospitality and released several times a year by ECM that presents the development of key performance indicators for ECM member cities.
**RevPAR: Revenue Per Available Room – Occupancy Rate x average price or room revenue divided by available rooms.
***Occupancy Rate: Number of rooms sold divided by number of available rooms.
****ADR: Average Daily Rate – room revenue divided by number of sold rooms.
**ENDS**
European Cities Marketing is a non-profit organisation improving the competitiveness and performance of leading cities of Europe by providing a platform for convention, leisure and city marketing professionals to exchange knowledge, best practice and widen their network to build new business. European Cities Marketing is promoting and linking the interests of members from more than 110 major cities in 38 countries.
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Established nearly 30 years ago, MKG Group® has built a solid reputation for business expertise and substantial European-based know-how in the tourism, hotel and hospitality sector. MKG provides a unique savoir-faire in market research, consulting, financial feasibility studies, individual property and portfolio asset valuations, as well as quality control campaigns. The foundation of knowledge and resource is OlaKala_suite, the largest industry database in Europe, representing all hotel segments. OlaKala_suite, brings together all operational marketing tools in 3 major products:
* OlaKala_destination: Observatories (formerly HotelCompSet)
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