Europe Had A Shaky 2002 Reports MKG

EUROPE— According to a study conducted by MKG Consulting, France is the only European country to record a growth in RevPAR over the past 12 months. The report concluded that RevPAR across the continent fell by 2.6% in that time period. In addition, occupancy fell while average room rates increased slightly by 0.5%. Aside from France, Italy and Portugal weathered the storm well with only minimal decreases in their RevPAR of 2% or less over the last 12 months, while countries such as Germany, Austria and Belgium were hit the hardest registering RevPAR decreases of between 3% and 5% during the same time period, stated the report. In spite of the overall declines in RevPAR, the economy segment in Europe saw increasing RevPAR numbers. Continent-wide growth in the average daily rate in this sector inched up between 4% to 5.5%, the report concluded. This study is based on a sample of 5,000 corporate operated chains in Europe, representing 500,000 rooms. The data, gathered monthly from each hotel, is analyzed according to the segmentation of the corporate operated hotel chain supply, and by the weight of each country in the European Union. The results compiled come from figures supplied by the hotel chains located in France and throughout Europe. The complete dossier concerning the hotel activity in France and in Europe will be published in the February/March edition of HTR magazine.