Hotels in Jeddah and Dubai reported double-digit increases in occupancy rates in June compared to the same month last year, according to the latest data released by STR Global.

The Saudi Arabian city registered a 12.8 percent rise to 78.2 percent occupancy while Dubai saw occupancy rates climb 12 percent to 70 percent, STR Global said in a statement.

Jeddah also reported the largest increases in average daily rates (ADR) as hotels posted a 12 percent increase to $214.83.

The Saudi city also posted the best performance for revenues per available room (RevPAR) with a 26.4 percent rise to $168.06, the data for June showed.

Tourism in Saudi Arabia as a whole also showed strong performance in June with occupancy rates up more than eight percent at 62.1 percent.

In the UAE, occupancy rates were up by just over 10 percent to 65 percent.

Overall, the Middle East/Africa region reported decreases in all three key performance metrics during June, weighed by South African declines.

The region ended the month with a 9.7 percent decrease in occupancy to 54.1 percent, average daily rate fell 4.3 percent to $141.10, and revenue per available room ended the month with a 13.6 percent decrease to $76.32.

“As South Africa hosted the FIFA World Cup in June and July 2010, the results for June this year consequently are showing declines against last year”, said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global.

“The Middle East (excluding Egypt) continued to report occupancy improvements with stable ADR results highlighting the strengthening of recovery across the region.”