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28 Jan, 2016

Thailand hotels best Asia-Pacific performers in 2015: STR report

LONDON, 28 January 2016, STR Global media release —Hotels in the Asia Pacific region reported mostly flat year-end 2015 results in the three key performance metrics when reported in U.S. dollar constant currency, according to data from STR Global.

Compared with 2014, the Asia Pacific region reported a 0.1% increase in occupancy to 68.2%. Average daily rate was down 0.5% to US$108.79, and revenue per available room decreased 0.4% to US$74.25.

Performance of featured countries for year-end 2015 (local currency, year-over-year comparisons):

Australia posted increases across the three key performance metrics: occupancy (+1.3% to 75.6%), ADR (+1.9% to AUD183.31) and RevPAR (+3.2% to AUD138.51). While Australia’s overall performance grew steadily in 2015, the country experienced an especially strong December with ADR at AUD195.61—the highest absolute ADR value of the year—and RevPAR up 7.6% year over year. Demand growth (+3.0%) outpaced supply growth (+1.6%) for the month, thanks in large part to major concerts in Sydney and Melbourne. On the contrary, markets linked with mining such as Darwin, Brisbane and Perth experienced strong supply growth and limited demand.

China saw occupancy (-0.1% to 65.1%) remain nearly flat. ADR in the country was down 3.4% to CNY545.20, and RevPAR fell 3.5% to CNY354.91. Although China reported steady annual demand growth (+3.9%), supply grew at a slightly faster rate (+4.1%), causing negative performance.

Singapore reported decreases in the three key performance indicators: occupancy (-0.4% to 82.5%), ADR (-3.3% to SGD288.90) and RevPAR (-3.7% to SGD238.38). Supply growth (+2.1%) outpaced demand growth (+1.7%) for the year. STR Global analysts also attribute the negative overall performance to a drop in both overseas and business travellers.

Thailand recorded double-digit growth in occupancy (+13.6% to 73.6%) and RevPAR (+13.1% to THB2,667.65). ADR in the country dipped 0.4% to THB3,662.84. Prior to an August terrorist attack in Bangkok, the country had seen double-digit RevPAR increases in seven consecutive months. The year-over-year increases were especially high due to comparison to a weak 2014, in which Thailand experienced significant political and economic unrest.

Performance of featured markets for year-end 2015 (local currency, year-over-year comparisons):

Hanoi, Vietnam, experienced double-digit increases in occupancy (+12.3% to 76.2%) and RevPAR (+10.5% to VND1,761,444.46). ADR in the market decreased 1.7% to VND2,310,560.09. The year overall was exceptional for Hanoi, as demand growth (+15.1%) significantly outpaced supply growth (+2.4%).

Sanya, China, reported increases in occupancy (+10.6% to 63.0%) and RevPAR (+6.0% to CNY557.47). ADR in the market was down 4.2% to CNY885.29. According to STR Global analysts, occupancy was mainly driven by domestic tourism, a trend seen in China as its middle class continues to grow.

Seoul, South Korea, reported decreases in each of the three key performance measurements: occupancy (-10.8% to 68.9%), ADR (-8.2% to KRW185,681.13) and RevPAR (-18.2% to KRW128,000.61). According to STR Global analysts, the overall drop in Seoul’s hotel performance is a direct result of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus outbreak between May and July. The epidemic is reflected in significant demand drops for June (-30.9%), July (-28.3%) and August (-13.1%), Seoul’s overall performance improved in the last few months of the year.

Tokyo, Japan, saw occupancy remain nearly flat (-0.2% to 86.7%), but ADR (+12.7% to JPY18,175.29) and RevPAR (+12.5% to JPY15,749.42) each increased by double digits. According to STR Global analysts, the weakening of the Japanese Yen has caused a boost in international tourist arrivals, and the market’s positive performance is expected to continue through the Olympics in 2020.

Asia Pacific region performance for December 2015 (U.S. dollar constant currency, year-over-year comparisons):

Compared with December 2014, the Asia Pacific region reported a 1.5% increase in occupancy to 67.4%, a 0.9% rise in ADR to US$113.41 and a 2.5% increase in RevPAR to US$76.39.

Additional performance data

Looking for performance data for a market not featured in this month’s release? STR Global gathers performance data from more than 18,000 hotels comprising more than 3.0 million rooms. Please contact media@strglobal.com for additional data requests.

About Constant Currency

Constant Currency methodology eliminates the effects of exchange rate fluctuations when calculating performance figures. STR Global utilizes Constant Currency to present the most accurate performance summary of a region comprising different local currencies. All ADR and RevPAR calculations use 31 January 2015 exchange rates.

For more information, please visit www.strglobal.com.