FIFA World Cup to give hotels in Moscow 20-30% growth in RevPAR

According to the latest market forecast from STR and Tourism Economics, Moscow’s hotel industry is projected to see RevPAR growth in the range of 20% and 30% during June and July 2018.

A RevPAR increase in that range would be less than the growth realised in Rio de Janeiro (2014) and Johannesburg (2010), key markets for the previous two FIFA World Cup host countries.

While occupancy is likely to grow between 8% and 10% to absolute levels just under 80% during the World Cup months, Moscow’s ADR is projected to increase between 15% and 20%. That trend would be consistent with previous FIFA World Cup tournaments as STR analysts note that room rates are more significantly boosted by the event whereas demand remains fairly stable in year-on-year comparisons.

STR analysts also note that while demand is helped by such a large event, year-on-year occupancy comparisons are typically hurt due to supply growth as well as other regular hotel business avoiding the market during major event months. Supply growth leading up to such “mega events” creates more room inventory and pressure on occupancy levels.

In Rio de Janeiro in 2014, occupancy rose by double-digits from the previous June (+12.6% to 81.6%) and July (+18.3% to 80.0%) in the market. At the same time, ADR increased 72.8% and 64.4% during the two months, respectively, driving RevPAR increases of 94.5%.

In Johannesburg in 2010, occupancy jumped from the previous June (+27.7% to 78.5%) and grew to a lesser degree in July (+7.4% to 63.7%). ADR increased 56.3% and 44.5% during the two months, respectively, driving RevPAR increases of 99.6% and 55.1%.

Moscow’s room count is substantially higher than Rio and Johannesburg. That also creates less opportunity for substantial uplift in performance in percentage terms from a comparable number of additional visitors travelling for the tournament. Through the first four months of 2018, Moscow saw occupancy grow 6.7% year over year to an absolute level of 65.8%. Using the same four-month year-over-year comparison, ADR was down 0.8% to RUB 5,363.70. Preliminary data for May showed occupancy 74.8% (+11.5%) and ADR RUB 5,451.5 (+3.1%).

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