Stable occupancy rates

Figures published by Ernst & Young in its December 2014 Hotel Benchmark survey, said that occupancy rates in 2014 were stable at 52 percent, and did not drop compared to 2013. This is the first time since 2011 that occupancy rates did not show a negative growth.

The average room rates dropped in prices by around three percent to $165, compared to 2013. This is mainly due to more competitive package hotel offerings aimed at attracting visitors and increasing occupancy.

The number of hotels totaled 337 in 2014, with over 18,900 rooms, according to figures of the Syndicate of Hotel Owners. The number of hotels has been stable during the last two years, but the number of rooms has decreased. This means that newly opened hotels are small. The number of hotels has been steadily growing since 2012, after the drop in 2011.

The country has in total, 29 five-star hotels, 95 four-stars, 87 three-stars, 94 two-stars, and 32 one-star hotels.

The capital has the highest number of hotels with 91 properties, of which 23 percent are rated five stars, while 46 percent are four-star hotels. The South has the lowest number of hotels, with only ten properties. It has no five-star properties, as is the case in Jbeil and the North.