Of the 42 markets tracked across Germany only four managed to improve their performance in June compared to the prior year, with just under half of all the cities experiencing double-digit revPAR declines. Kassel was amongst the worst hit, with revPAR falling by 39 percent compared to June 2002. Last year the city hosted the Documenta, an art exhibition, which attracted some 650,000 visitors between June and September 2002. After Kassel, Frankfurt and Nurnberg reported the second largest declines in revPAR. Both cities saw revPAR fall by 27 percent, again due to missing fairs and congresses this year.

Rostock hoteliers however had reason to celebrate in June, with occupancy levels hitting 90 percent. Since April 2003, the city has been host to the IGA Exhibition (international gardening and horticulture exhibition), which is held in Germany every 10 years. Overall the city saw revPAR increase by 24 percent in June 2003, and with the exhibition open until October 2003, this is expected to continue to drive performance.

Year-to-June figures show an overall decline in revPAR across Germany of 7 percent to €45 compared to the same period last year. Only three markets have managed to report positive revPAR growth during the first half of the year - Bremen, Hannover and Rostock.