Friday, Nov 14, 2008
Gulf News
Dubai: Dubai was placed first globally in terms of average room rate, according to STR Global.
Room rates hit $290 last August in Dubai, ahead of Paris with $280 per room and New York with $261. Rome took fourth place with $237 per room and London came in fifth with an average rate of $230 per night.
STR Global report also ranks Dubai first in terms of average revenues per room, which was $237 with Paris coming in second with $217, New York in third place with $216, London fourth $185 and Rome in fifth with $154.
Dubai's leading position of having the highest hotel occupancy rate was edged by New York which was first in this category with 83 per cent in the same period. Dubai stands in second position at 81.6 per cent.
Khalid A. Bin Sulayem, director-general of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), said in a statement five international markets have showed tremendous increase in tourist numbers in Dubai from 2003 to 2007 including Japan with 74,093; Italy 93,258; Australia 119,202 and Germany sending 657,235. Bin Sulayem also pointed out that the number of UK tourists to Dubai reached 752,381 in 2007.
The number of hotels operating in Dubai are currently 343 with a combined total of 38,748 rooms; which includes 50 five-star hotels with 16,174 rooms; 53 four-star hotels with 8,964 rooms; 47 three-stars hotel with 5,096 rooms.
Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.
