Qatar hotels bucked the trend in the Middle East by posting a 9.5 percent rise in the occupancy rate in July, according to STR Global data. Doha was the only city in the Middle East to post positive occupancy rates last month as the region saw rates slump by 13.5 percent. Hotel occupancy rates rose to 48.2% in Doha. Nairobi, capital of Kenya was the only other city registering growth in the Middle East and Africa. Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) in hotels in Doha rose 2.5% to $83.96 and it was one of only two Middle East cities to register growth in RevPAR during July. The other one is Jeddah which also posted RevPAR growth with a 6.3% increase to $203.68 in July. Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) announced figures which showed the occupancy rate had risen from an average of 58 percent to 67 percent despite a 4.5 percent increase in the number of rooms available. Issa Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QTA Chairman said that Doha topped the list in the Middle East and Africa reflected the success of QTA’s strategy to boost the tourism sector.” We are seeing strong growth in all aspects of Qatar’s tourism sector. QTA is proud of these developments and strides being made towards a record year of tourism in Qatar.” Qatar Chronicle

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