Abu Dhabi occupancies on overdrive for February
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Abu Dhabi’s 149 hotels and hotel apartments saw a 33% jump in guests for February compared to 2013 with occupancy reaching 81% – a four percent rise. Figures just released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) show that 262,193 guests checked into the emirate’s accommodation during February delivering a 21% month-on-month rise in guest nights to 815,718.
“The month of February witnessed several cultural, B2B, entertainment and sporting events which appear to have contributed to this month of growth. We are encouraged by the growth in occupancy levels and are focusing on increasing average-length-of-stay, which currently stands at just over three nights,” said HE Jasem Al Darmaki, deputy director general, TCA Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi’s average room rate is currently around AED453 (US$123). February’s performance continues on the growth path. In the first two months, the emirate received 539,163 hotel guests which is a 35% uplift on January and February 2013. Guest nights for the comparative period rose 23% to 1.67 m. Occupancy levels rose by seven percent to 79% while hotel revenues rose by 10% to AED1,026 bn (US$279.4 m). Food and beverage income was up 13% to almost AED383 m (US$104.5 m). Average room rate over the period dropped nine percent to AED458 (US $125).
Domestic tourism grew by 30% with 166,430 Emiratis staying in Abu Dhabi hotels accounting for 392,946 guest nights – which is a year-on-year increase of 32%. They stayed, on average almost 2.4 nights. The largest overseas guest market was the UK with some 32,428 Britons representing a 31% increase. They delivered 136,333 guest nights, which was a rise of 15% year-on-year and stayed, on average just over four nights.
India was second largest international source market. Some 31,712 Indians checked in representing a 36% growth and accounting for 127,301 guest nights, which was a jump of 14%. They too stayed just over four nights. The highest growth was from China which is now the emirate’s third largest overseas source market.
Some 22,577 Chinese checked in the first two months of the year – a whopping 182% uplift on the same period last year. In all, Chinese arrivals delivered 33,779 guest nights, which was up 120% year-on-year with them staying, on average, just short of two nights.
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