Abu Dhabi hotel revenues hit $1.2bn

Abu Dhabi hotel revenues have risen six percent to $1.2bn in the first 11 months of 2012 compared to the same period last year.

Figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) showed that food and beverage incomes accounted for $439m of the total - 12 percent up.

The number of hotel guests staying in Abu Dhabi's 137 hotels, resorts and hotel apartments from January to November rose 14 percent with guest nights up 11 percent, the figures also showed.

Some 2,171,680 hotel guests stayed in the emirate's accommodation in the first 11 months of the year - beating last year's overall performance.

"This is extremely encouraging particularly when viewed in context of the significant number of rooms we now have available, which currently stands at 23,516," said Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general, TCA Abu Dhabi.

"We are very positive about achieving our 2.3 million guest target for this year, and ending 2012 on a satisfactory note while looking forward to attaining more guest gains during 2013 when we have a mainline attraction and new resorts opening."

Abu Dhabi is gearing up for the January opening of the Yas Waterworld waterpark and the Q1 opening of the luxury beachfront Ritz Carlton Grand Canal Abu Dhabi which will mark the entry of the Ritz Carlton brand into the UAE capital.

Last month proved to be the busiest this year in terms of guest nights with some 207,335 guests accounting for 676,593 guest nights.

"November's lengthier stays are likely down to the staging of the Grand Prix and an acceptance of the lead-up marketing campaign which focused on spelling out just how much there now is to do and see in Abu Dhabi," said Al Muhairi.

"Competition has put our luxury proposition in a very affordable bracket which will assist our ever increasing efforts to attract more guests and encourage them to stay longer," he added.

Internationally, the UK remains Abu Dhabi's key overseas market for hotel guests with 129,180 British staying in the emirate from January to November, a two percent increase on 2011.

India now ranks as the destination's second largest overseas source market for hotel guests with 125,180 Indians staying in the emirate - a 30 percent increase on 2011.

"The prospects are now such that if the growth rates from India and the UK remain as they are currently trending, India will emerge as our largest source market for hotel guests in 2014," said Al Muhairi.