After a period when the Prague hotel market was lagging behind other European cities in terms of recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, all of its performance indicators increased significantly in 2023. RevPAR ended 10 percent above the level recorded pre-covid in 2019, in December 2023 as much as 35 percent above December 2019. Occupancy reached 71 percent last year, in December 2023 returning to the level of December 2019 with 79 percent. The average daily rate was €110 in 2023, 22 percent higher than the year before. The investment transactions volume grew by 68 percent year on year, reaching €137 million, and additional major deals are planned for 2024. The Prague hotel market proves its resilience and attractiveness.
In the comparison of 30 top European hotel markets, last year Prague came close to the positions it held pre-covid: in terms of RevPAR, it returned to its original 21st place (from 24th place the year before), and in terms of occupancy it reached the 15th place (being 10th pre-covid and 25th in 2022). Its year-on-year growth of RevPAR was the second highest among the cities compared – while the European average amounted to 16 percent, in Prague, it was 36 percent. This was partially due to the city’s low starting base, as Prague’s recovery did not kick in as it did in most other European markets in 2022. Reaching €78 in 2023, Prague’s RevPAR was ahead of Warsaw and Bucharest.
Sevda Cadir, Senior Hospitality Consultant, CEE & SEE, Cushman & Wakefield commented: “The increase in RevPAR was primarily driven by ADR growth, supported by high inflation, strong leisure demand, limited hotel supply, and proximity to key source markets; and a notable 20 percent rise in occupancy in 2023 vs. 2022. Despite operational challenges leading to increasing costs, the revenues allowed Prague full-service branded properties to record an average gross operational profit margin at 49 percent of total revenue, ranking 3rd highest within the major European markets, and outperforming the key CEE capitals and Vienna.”
More visitors from Asia, increased luxury capacities
Prague hotel occupancy also started nearing pre-covid levels in 2023: while it was at 78 percent in 2019, last year it reached 71 percent. The most successful month was December, with 79 percent occupancy being level with that of December 2019.
Limited airport activity had been a bottleneck to tourism in Prague for a long time – however, over 30 routes resumed operations in 2023, with additional lines expected to open in 2024. Passenger numbers should grow to 15.5 million this year, a 12 percent increase vs. 2023, and only 13 percent below 2019.
David Nath, Head of Hospitality, CEE & SEE, Cushman & Wakefield, commented: ”Improved airport connections, especially with key Asian markets like Taiwan and South Korea, led to a 63 percent surge in Asian tourists compared to 2022. Additionally, Prague benefits from a luxury supply influx brought by hotels such as the Andaz or Almanac X. The upcoming opening of W Prague and Fairmont Golden Prague will further elevate the country’s hotel average daily rates.”
Hotel investment recovery, interest from abroad
Hotel transaction volumes reached €137 million in 2023. While still significantly below the levels achieved in the record year of 2019, it is an increase of two-thirds compared to 2022.
Magsud Rahmanov, Head of Hotel Transactions, CEE & SEE, Cushman & Wakefield: ”The Czech hotel investment volumes grew by 68 percent year on year, showcasing the growing appeal of the market which is returning to stability after COVID-19 and the energy crisis, and despite the increased cost of financing and the ongoing challenges such as the war in Ukraine and economy slowdown. With several deals underway and to be completed in 2024, we are expecting an even higher volume of hotel transactions this year.”
In 2023, 9 hotels were transacted, with 78 percent of the volume directed to Prague, and 84 percent into the luxury and upscale categories. While in the past domestic investors had prevailed, last year 77 percent of the volume was transacted by pan-European and Asian investors. This illustrates that the Czech hotel market is reopening and attracting international capital.
David Nath added: “Following the current decrease of the ČNB interest rate by 0.5 percent to the existing 6.25 percent, I expect a gradual recovery of the investment market. Despite facing the economic slowdown, mainly caused by higher inflation and interest rates, as well as geopolitical tensions, the Czech Republic has proven to be a resilient market.”
