The results for first semester of 2015 from the ECM-MKG European Destinations Observatory report confirm the long-term growth for Europe's hotel industry.
With an occupancy rate of 67.5% throughout the European Union in the first semester, hotel chains gained 1.8 points over 2014 at the same period. The performances on the continent show an increase compared to last year with the Average Daily Rates (ADR) (+3%) and the Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) (+5.8%). Some destinations produced better results depending on their geographic location. The variety of events held in some cities played a major role in the success of their performances.
Good RevPAR results for most Western Europe cities
With solid business tourism, Germany experienced a strong increase in its ADR: Stuttgart (MedTec Europe 2015), Hanover (Hannover Messe 2015) and Cologne (FESPA 2015) know a RevPAR increase by more 13%. Other German cities such as Leipzig, Berlin and Hamburg are following this trend too. Currently, Düsseldorf after a year 2014 with international events meets some difficulties, 2015 seems to be less attractive for the business meetings.
Many cities in France (like Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse or Nice) presented good results thanks to the organisation of many international business events (VINEXPO in Bordeaux, SIRHA in Lyon, MIDEM or MIPTV in Cannes) or medical congress in Nice. Paris is the exception with a negative change in its RevPAR (-0.7%).
Benelux keeps on the right track from the beginning of the year; the number of political events and meetings explains its good performance. Brussels and Amsterdam recorded respectively an 4.9% and 3.4% increase in its RevPAR, Luxembourg have the highest RevPAR progression in this area (+12.5%).
Northern and Eastern Europe cities perform well thanks to international events. But Scandinavia is on a downtrend
In terms of occupancy rate, the United Kingdom is keeping the lead with London, the biggest business place in Europe and Edinburgh in second position.
In terms of RevPAR, Copenhagen and Budapest got the highest results thanks to business and sport events (EuroBasket Women in Hungary). Prague, with the Ice Hockey World Championship 2015, records a positive RevPAR progression, when the city had a strong decrease on this indicator 3 months ago. Vienna (with EASL’s International Congress 2015) and Warsaw (with 2015 UEFA Europa League Final and World food Warsaw 2015), improved their RevPAR respectively by 3.2% and 8.4% since the beginning of the year.
Only Oslo stands out from its Scandinavian counterparts’ thanks to its ADR rise. Helsinki and Stockholm record a combined decrease in both occupancy rate and ADR.
All ECM members have exclusive access to the complete ECM-MKG European Destinations Observatory report with all the graphs and analysis.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
