Rugby World Cup a boon for hotel operators

The opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup 2015 provided host markets with significant growth in revenue per available room, according to data compiled by STR Global.

The Rugby World Cup runs until the end of this month.
The Rugby World Cup runs until the end of this month.
Opening weekend matches were held 18-20 September, and during that three-day period, each of the four markets to host a match averaged year-over-year RevPAR increases of higher than 25.0%: Cardiff, Wales (+148.5%); Gloucester, England (+37.4%); Brighton, England (+28.2%); and London, England (+27.0%).

In Cardiff, RevPAR grew year over year by more than 115.0% each day even though the market did not host a match on Friday. When Wales played host to Uruguay on Sunday at Millennium Stadium, RevPAR increased by 194.6% when compared with the same day in 2014. The absolute RevPAR of GBP88.42 was driven by a 35.6% increase in occupancy to 78.8% and a 117.2% rise in average daily rate to GBP112.18.

Gloucester reported RevPAR increases of more than 40.0% on both Saturday and Sunday. The market did not host a match on Sunday. RevPAR reached GBP83.73 for Saturday on the back of a 97.4% absolute occupancy level and a 44.5% increase in ADR to GBP86.00.

Brighton hotels saw a minor dip in RevPAR on Friday (-1.2%) but reported increases of 23.4% and 62.5% on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Saturday’s absolute RevPAR of GBP150.05 was driven by a 24.7% increase in ADR to GBP159.99. On Sunday, RevPAR reached GBP51.64 thanks to a 28.2% increase in occupancy to 60.1% and a 26.8% rise in ADR to GBP85.99.

London’s RevPAR growth was driven by ADR increases of more than 15.0% each day. Occupancy remained stable with the exception of a 12.3% increase to 79.3% on Sunday. The opening ceremony and match featuring England and Fiji led to a 121.7% RevPAR increase on Friday for hotels within a 5 kilometre radius from host Twickenham Stadium.

The Rugby World Cup runs through 31 October, and several additional markets joined as hosts following the opening week. In total, the tournament is expected to result in more than 400,000 international visitors and 2.45 million tickets sold.

sourced:traveldailymedia.com