According to EY’s Middle East Hotel Benchmark Survey Report, Cairo’s hospitality market witnessed the best performance in the first nine months of 2018, with occupancy growing by six percent year on year to almost 71 percent. Room yields (RevPAR) grew by a remarkable 17 percent, and average room rates grew by seven percent to reach USD 103.  

According to the report, the economic reform plans and governmental efforts to boost tourism through global touristic campaigns, as well as the improved security measures, have all led to increased flight arrivals and subsequent tourism inflow to the country.

Jeddah also experienced the highest RevPAR in the region at USD 187, in the first nine months of 2018. The city has also the most expensive room throughout the region, which costs USD 298. It is followed by Dubai (USD 225), Makkah (USD 198), Kuwait (USD 190) and Beirut (USD 187). The least expensive room nights were at Amman (USD 144), Muscat (USD 138), Doha (USD 126), Cairo (USD 103), and Abu Dhabi (USD 95)

Muscat witnessed the sharpest occupancy drop throughout the region during the same phase, to reach 54 percent in the first nine months of 2018, compared to 69 percent last year (-15 percent).