The latest report by research firm STR Global shows that Dubai has weathered this year’s summer dip better than many had forecast.   Revenue per available room (RevPar) fell 33.6 percent in August, compared to the same month in 2008.  The RevPar drop for hotels across MENA was 21 percent, although occupancy rates at Dubai hotels were higher than the region’s average. 

Hotel occupancy for Dubai was 64.1 percent compared to the average hotel occupancy rate for MENA of 59.2 percent.  STR Global data shows that hotel occupancy in August was 38.2 percent in Muscat, and 38.89 percent in Riyadh.    Dubai was successful in stabilizing hotel occupancy levels at 64-66 percent during the summer by reducing the average daily rate, which declined 4-6 percent month on month.