Düsseldorf: the calm after the storm

After a remarkable year 2004 marked by a 20% increase in the RevPAR thanks to two very important trade fairs, Drupa and K Messe, Düsseldorf hotel industry is experiencing a more tranquil 2005. What was extraordinary for Düsseldorf is that these two events were held the same year: which happens only every twelve years! Consequently: 2005 posts a drop in its RevPAR by 10.1% on the last twelve months. In May, when Drupa was held, the average daily rate posts a difference of nearly 100 euros (75 versus 174 the previous year). “2005 is a year of midsize fairs. The year 2005 was logically less good than 2004. But it was still in keeping with our forecasts,” explains Stephan Noth, accommodations director at Swissotel. However, all is not black for the Rhineland city since occupancy is nonetheless up by 3 points.They particularly need a larger Leisure segment. Nonetheless, in 2006, the city will not be able to count on any direct effect from the FIFA World Cup since no matches will be played in the LTU Arena. The city is waiting for windfall from matches held in the nearby cities of Cologne, Gelsenkirchen and Dortmund. “This is a period when business tourism is weaker. But I am not expecting our hotel to post no vacancy,” urges Stephan Noth. Düsseldorf has not yet finished its convalescence.In November, the annual Medica salon brings its share of visitors each year like clockwork. More than 137,000 visitors attended four days of this pharmaceutical fair in 2005, versus 136,100 in 2004. “The Medica salon saw a slight increase over the previous year. We increased our rates slightly. Aside from this event, the month of November was slightly below our expectations,” remarks Guido Krueger, sales director at the Renaissance Düsseldorf. The month closed for al hotels...