European hotels benefit from north African unrest: study

European hotels enjoyed a strong first quarter with a 5.9 percent increase in revenue per room due to unrest in north Africa and an increase in business travel, the MKG consultancy said Wednesday.

Spain was the principal beneficiary of the unrest in north Africa with tour operators booking more tourists seeking sun and sand to its Balearic and Canary islands, with a 6.8 percent jump in its occupancy rate, MKG said in a report.

Portugal and Greece also received a slight boost, while Italy wasn't viewed as an alternative to southern Mediterranean resorts, it added.