Despite facing economic and diplomatic siege for more than one and a half years and supply of additional room keys, Qatar’s hotel industry recorded solid performance over the last one year.
The 3-Star hotel segment registered a remarkable 14 percent growth in November 2018 compared to the same month in previous year.
The occupancy rates in almost all types of hotels and hotel apartments in Qatar registered growth in November year-on-year.
Properties such as budget hotels and deluxe hotel apartments were among the best performers. The 3-Star hotel segment reported the highest occupancy rate of 71 percent in November, official data show.
The average occupancy of all hotels soared to 59 percent in November 2018 against 57 percent a year ago. The 5-Star hotels were able to maintain their performance and attracted the same number of guests that they served in 2017.
The average occupancy rate of 5-Star hotels in November 2018 remained flat at 56 percent compared to November 2017, while the occupancy rates of 4-Star hotels increased to 61 percent from 59 percent a year ago.
Hotels classified under 2&1-Star category attracted 9 percent more guests in November 2018 than the same month in 2017. The occupancy rate increased to 55 percent against 46 percent in November 2017, according to the latest edition of the Qatar Monthly Statistics released by the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics.
With the additional supplies of hotel room keys the market has become more competitive putting pressure on prices for correction. The room tariffs are leveling off as more properties are completing and jointing the industry.
The average room rates for hotels declined by QR61 to QR389 in November from QR450 reported for the same month in 2017.
The correction in room tariffs can be noticed across all categories of hotels ranging between QR34 and QR68, depending on the types of rooms and properties.
The average occupancy rate of the ‘Hotel Apartments’ (across all categories) increased to 72 percent in November 2018 showing a year-on-year increase of 7 percent compared to 65 percent reported for the same month previous year.
Apartments classified under deluxe category registered the highest 73 percent occupancy, up 9 percent compared to November 2017, while the occupancy of Standard apartments increased to 68 percent.
The average room rate for hotel apartments declined by QR48 to QR328 per room from QR376 in November 2017, while the average revenue (per available room) declined to QR237 in November 2018 against QR243 a year ago.
Qatar received over 1.62 million (to be exact: 1,625,757) visitors during the first 11 months of the year ended November 31, 2018, with Asia and Oceania (including Australasia and New Zealand) accounting for 42 percent of the total visitors, followed by Europe and GCC region accounting for 28 percent and 11 percent, respectively.
Over 95 percent of the tourists (1.55 million) entered Doha by air, while the remaining by sea routes.
The Peninsula
13/01/2019
