Abu Dhabi hotel revenues rose 6% in 2012

Hotel revenues in Abu Dhabi grew by 6 percent to AED4.6bn (US$1.25bn), after welcoming more than 2.38m guests through their doors in 2012.

The figures, released by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) show that 13 percent more people stayed in the emirate’s hotels in 2012 compared to 2011, beating its target of 2.3m guests.

Guest nights rose by 12 percent year-on-year to 6.99m, but hotel occupancy was down 5 percent year-on-year, standing at 65 percent in 2012. Room revenue rose by ` percent and the average room rate fell by 8 percent to AED452.90.

In a statement, Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of TCA Abu Dubai, said: “This is a very satisfactory performance and gives us an excellent platform on which to now build for our 2013 target of 2.5m guests.

“Growth was recorded across all key markets with the strongest coming from Africa, the GCC, Middle East and Asia.”

The UK was the largest international source market with 140,393 guests, followed by India with 138,768 guests and Germany with 96,802 guests.

In the GCC, arrivals from Oman rose 29 percent year-on-year, while those from Qatar increased 24 percent year-on-year, and Saudi Arabia 16 percent year-on-year.

Domestic tourism rose by 8 percent and accounted for 888,241 guests.

Sheikh Sultan added: “With the recent opening of our latest power draw, Yas Waterworld, major new resorts opening shortly, our new on-the-ground representation in India and enhanced air access via Etihad’s new 2013 services from Washington DC and Sao Paolo, we anticipate continued improved performance going forward.”