Euro-crisis talks and big events helped push hotel rates in Brussels up by 24 per cent in April, according to the recent HotStats 2012 European Chain Hotels Market Review.

Brussels achieved a 24 per cent increase in its average room rate to £112 in April, compared with the same period in 2011, resulting in a 32 per cent increase in revenue per available room (REVPAR). Brussels also benefited from such events as the high-profile North Atlantic Treaty Organization meetings, the European Union Innovation in Healthcare Conference and the European Seafood Exhibition.

Meanwhile, Barcelona posted a 15 per cent increase in average room rate to £118 in April, contributing to a 23 per cent increase in REVPAR. Conferences such as the International Liver Congress, as well as high-profile sports events including major Barcelona football fixtures at the Nou Camp against Chelsea and Real Madrid and the Cursa El Corte Ingles run, contributed to the increase in business.

David Bailey, deputy managing director at TRI Hospitality Consulting, which commissioned the review, said: “Barcelona has experienced some especially tough trading conditions in recent years but seems to be rebuilding strongly on the back of an increase in the number of tourists to the city and the capturing of some major international conferences. Meanwhile, hoteliers in Brussels have supplemented the ongoing demand from regular meetings associated with the euro-crisis with major events of their own.”

Pictured: David Bailey, TRI Hospitality Consulting