Abu Dhabi records dip in occupancy
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The recent guest numbers released by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) for the first nine months of the year showed that average-length-of-stay during September achieved 2.99 nights – although it remains down, by 4% for the year-to-date. 
While occupancy levels for the first nine months recorded a dip of 7% to 63%, overall revenue grew by 3% to AED3.15 billion (US$85.8 million).
According to the report 1,741,330 guests stayed in the emirate’s 131 hotels and hotel apartments. This was a 15% increase on the same period last year. Together year-to-date hotel guest tally has translated into almost five million hotel guest nights – which is up 10% on the first nine months of 2011.
HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general, TCA Abu Dhabi said: “We are well placed to achieve our yearly target of 2.3 million hotel guests, particularly as we have a busy Q4 ahead with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Art, the Mubadala World Tennis Championships and the opening of the Yas Waterworld.”
A strong September showing contributed to the year-to-date growth trend with 189,442 people checking into Abu Dhabi’s hotels last month – a 14% rise on the first nine months of last year. They accounted for 566,404 guest nights – an increase of 16% on the comparative period. Food and beverage returns continue to play a significant revenue generation role, it has accounted for AED1.245bn (US$339m) in the first nine months of 2012 – an 11% growth on the same period in 2011.
Key markets with the strongest growth were recorded from Asia, GCC and Europe. Domestic tourism continues its upward growth rising 11% to 669,890 hotel guests from Q1-Q3 end. The UK remains a prime source market accounting of 99,189 guests – a 1% growth on the first nine months of 2011. India continues to show growth with some 98,246 Indians checking-in – which is up 31% on 2011.
