Abu Dhabi turns in 12% rise in hotel guests for half 2013

Abu Dhabi has reported a 12% increase in number of guests staying in 145 hotels and hotel apartments for the first half of 2013 (H1) compared to H1 of 2012. The figures were released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi). 

As per the statistics, the length of stay is longer and there have been significant increases in hotel occupancies and revenues.

During the first half of this year around 1,333,339 guests checked into Abu Dhabi accommodation delivering 4,226,604 guest nights – a rise of 25% on 2012. On average the guest stayed 3.17 nights – which is up 12% on last year, which translates into an occupancy rate of 71% – which is up 8% on 2012.

“This growth, despite significant increases in resort and hotel inventory, justifies our enhanced efforts in trade engagement, international marketing and promotion,” said HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general, TCA Abu Dhabi.

“We anticipate the momentum building in the second half of the year which covers key happenings such as the Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Art, the Al Ain Aerobatics Show, a number of headline concerts on Yas Island and major sporting events including the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the Wake Park World Champonship Finals,” he added.

Year-to-date hotel revenues rose 16% to AED2.7bn (US$734m) despite a slight fall-off of three percent in average room rate to AED447 (US$122). Food & beverage income continued to hold its own climbing 15% to AED1bn (US$287.5m).

Abu Dhabi’s strong performance was aided by a bumper June when guest arrivals rose 13%, guest nights increased 22%, revenues shot up by 13%, people stayed longer and occupancy increased by 6% to 65%.

While domestic tourism continued to be the destination’s largest single catchment, India snatched the top slot as the emirate’s largest overseas source market toppling the UK into second place. Some 80,179 Indian nationals stayed in Abu Dhabi’s hotels from January until the end of June a 22% rise on last year. They accounted for 334,238 guest nights -which is up 43% on 2012 and stayed an average of 4.17 nights – an increase of 17%.

During the first six months 78,053 Britons stayed in the emirate’s hotels – a nine percent increase on last year. They delivered 362,690 room nights, which was up 21% and stayed for an average of 4.65 nights – 11% more than last year. Germany came in as the third largest overseas market with 62,488 of its nationals staying – 27% up on last year. Germans accounted for 296,624 guest nights, which is a rise of 37% on 2012 and they stayed, on average, 4.75 nights – which is 8% up on last year.

Russians are proving to be long-stayers checking in for an average of just over six nights – a 6% increase on 2012. And more Russians are coming to the destination than ever before with 13,094 checking in during the first six months – a 46% increase on 2012 – and accounting for 79,750 guest nights, which is 54% up on last year.