Caribbean Hotel Performance Breaks Records, but Occupancy growth stalled in 2019

For full-year 2019, The Caribbean hotel industry reported lower occupancy but record-breaking average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) during 2019, according to data from STR.

Compared with 2018, ADR increased 6.5% increase to $219.53, which overcame a (2.7%) dip in occupancy to 63.7% to lift the overall revenue per available room 3.7% to $139.90.

The absolute occupancy level was the lowest in the Caribbean since 2011, but the ADR and RevPAR values were the highest for any year on record in the region.

“Despite six straight months of RevPAR declines between June and November, Caribbean hotels were able to reach a slight increase in December to end the year on a positive note,” said Rico Louw, STR’s client account manager. “The decline in performance during those earlier months was likely due to the effects of Hurricane Dorian and the negative perception impact that followed, as well as continued supply growth in the region. Hoteliers have been able to maintain rates despite an abundance of new supply and muted demand.”

In absolute values, March was the Caribbean’s top-performing month for each of the three key performance metrics: occupancy (75.0%), ADR (US$276.08) and RevPAR (US$207.13). February and January were the highest RevPAR growth months at +10.6% and +10.4%, respectively.

September was the lowest month of the year for occupancy (47.1%), ADR (US$148.53) and RevPAR (US$70.01) as well as the worst month for RevPAR comparisons (-6.2%).

When looking at individual islands, Turks & Caicos Islands experienced the highest rise in occupancy (+4.3% to 62.7%) and RevPAR (+12.8% to US$653.75).

The Cayman Islands posted the largest lift in ADR (+8.3% to US$466.06).

Dominican Republic saw the steepest declines in each of the three key performance metrics: occupancy (-8.0% to 67.7%), ADR (-3.5% to US$136.10) and RevPAR (-11.2% to US$92.12). Performance levels were pressured by supply growth (+2.6%) in addition to lost demand (-5.6%), and the island continues to lead the region in construction activity with 5,403 rooms being built.

Overall, there are 13,033 rooms in construction in the region.

Brooke Meyer is the managing partner of Caymera International, a Caymanian-owned hospitality and tourism consulting and advisory firm. Visit Caymera at www.caymeragroup.com or email info@caymeragroup.com for more information.