Hotel revenues in Abu Dhabi rose six percent in July compared to the same month last year as tourist numbers reached record highs, it was announced on Monday.
Some 189,486 guests stayed in the emirate’s hotels and hotel apartments in July, accounting for 507,612 guest nights, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority said in a statement.
The performance pushed occupancy levels up nine percent to 65 percent and overall revenue up sic percent to $74.2m, it added.
Regional guest arrivals led the performance surge with those from the GCC, not counting UAE guests, soaring 98 percent on the same month last year, and from the wider Arab market increasing by 44 percent.
Lawrence Franklin, strategy & policy director, ADTA, said: “The regional upsurge could likely be attributed to GCC travellers opting to spend time in a destination they associate with safety for their families and with more of them choosing to holiday in July ahead of the Holy Month of Ramadan when they wish to be at home with their families.
“The destination also benefitted from tactical product and promotional activities This included across-the-board advertising and a regional road show which engaged both the GCC media and trade partners in neighbouring countries.”
At the same time, the destination’s increased competitiveness with average room rates down 15 percent on July 2010 has helped to bring in more tourists, he said.
“The one disappointment was a fall off of two percent in the average length of stay to 2.68 nights, which we anticipate being rectified in the coming months with our heightened infrastructure and events offering,” said Franklin.
Over the next five months, Abu Dhabi will deliver the Monte-Carlo Beach Club Saadiyat, The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Rocco Forte Abu Dhabi, the expansive Ritz Carlton Grand Canal Abu Dhabi, Hyatt Capital Gate and the Wadi Adventure waterpark in Al Ain.
In November the UAE capital will host the third F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi Art, while in December the destination will host the year-end arrival of the Volvo Ocean Race fleet.
“It’s action all the way over the coming months which we anticipate will see us achieve our 2011 stretch target of two million hotel guests, a rise of 10.5 percent on last year, and leave us well placed to begin 2012 on a high,” said Franklin.
The first seven months of this year has seen Abu Dhabi welcome 1,231,290 hotel guests – a 15 percent increase on the same period last year, which equates to 3,604,233 guest nights.
Year-to-date occupancy levels are up 10 percent to 70 percent, while revenues are up six percent to $690m, ADTA added.
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