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Not as Cheerful in the Other Hotel Segments |
November 2003
12 Months results for chain hotels per category
A highly successful spring season for the budget categories The European occupancy rates were balanced for September 2003 versus the situation recorded last year. On the other hand, still speaking globally, the average room rates fell by 2.7%. Nevertheless, the situation is once again rather different between the various categories. The 0* and 1* categories posted highly positive results. In September, 0* hotels posted a combined rise of occupancy rates (+0.9 points) and average room rates (+3.7%) thus making the revenue per available room rise by 5.0%. Likewise, 1* hotels registered a 2.4-point increase in the occupancy growth rate for average room rates up by 1.6%, the revenue per available room increasing by 4.8%. These results are finally in line with the trend observed in recent months. Less exposed to events in the international situation and "refuge" products in the context of reduced budgets, both of consumers as well as businesses, the budget hotel industry plays its role as a "buffer" in the hotel industry during delicate phases in the market. The proof in that, the situation of the 0* category on 12 rolling months indicates occupancy rates on the rise by 2.1 points for average room rates increasing by 3.4%. Thus RevPAR rose by 6.7%. This being said, the situation is not as cheerful in the other hotel segments. The month of September will have been more delicate for the 2* and 3* categories. These categories recorded falls in RevPAR of 4.4% and 2.7% respectively. In these two categories, the rate-dropping measures were not able to stimulate the occupancy rate. The 2* hotels lost 1.8 points in occupancy for average room rates down by 2.2%. In that which concerns 3* hotels, the number of guests remains steady, for average room rates down by 3.6%. Reservations made later and later have strongly contributed to the state of things. with the final result often being, unfortunately, similar in terms of the number of guests. Thus, over the past twelve months, the 3* category recorded a loss in RevPAR of 0.8%. As for the 4* category, it once again posted a monthly fall, though clearly more moderated than in the previous months (-1.3% for the RevPAR). The slight rise in occupancy rates in September (+0.2 points) is an encouraging sign. It was nevertheless not accompanied by a rise in average room rates (-1.5%). Another positive sign for the European 4* category, on twelve rolling months the drop in revenue per available room was only 1.3%; the trend is definitely improving. Monthly results for chain hotels
per country
Austria is a good surprise�and an example to follow Among the deceptions, suffering from a fragile economy mainly due to the drop in household consumption and commercial trade (with the United States and Germany as major partners), the Netherlands are stuck in a steep downward trend. In September, the revenue per available room lost 12.8%, resulting from a combined drop in the occupancy rates and the average room rates of 6.3 points and 5.5 % respectively. Within such a context, it is not surprising to see that, in an attempt to save their market shares, Dutch hoteliers engaged in substantial rate cuts; The situation in recent months being quite similar, with a drop in the occupancy rates of 5.8 points for a downward-oriented average room rate (-2.8%). In France, the decrease of the international clientele and the fact that the customers are more concerned with their budget has contributed to the French decrease of RevPAR : -3,1% in September. On the same period, the 4* hotels lost 15,8% of RevPAR. On the other hand, budget hotels posted a RevPAR increase over 4% !. On twelve rolling months, the low categories have largely contributed to the French Hotel industry equilibrium : +0.3% of RevPAR. The immediate results showing a mid-term drop in RevPAR of 10.6%. On the contrary, the excellent surprise of the spring season is Austria, which posted a RevPAR up by 22.5% versus September 2002. This beautiful performance is to be attributed to the combination of the hike in average room rates: +8.4% and the occupancy rates (+10 points). Profiting from the large hike in demand, Austrian hoteliers have shown opportunism by optimizing the revenue per available room to the maximum. The promotional actions taken by the Austrian should be a source of inspiration for their fellow European hoteliers. Methodology
MKG Consulting has the largest hotel database in the world outside the USA, with the best representation of all the hotel segments. |
Contact:
Georges Panayotis +33 (0)1 56 56 87 90 [email protected] http://www.mkgconseil.com |