Abu Dhabi hotels have reported their best year yet in terms of guest arrivals, guest nights, length of stay, and revenues, according to a report by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.
Figures from the report show that 2,806,283 guests checked into the emirate’s 150 hotels and hotel apartments, signifying an increase of 18% over 2012 figures, and beating the target of 2.5 million set by TCA Abu Dhabi.
The increase in the number of guests also led to an increase in guest nights, which rose to 8.8 million, up 26% from 2012, with total revenue also climbing 18% to AED 5.4 8 billion (US $1.5 bn).
Commenting on the performance, TCA Abu Dhabi chairman His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon AL Nahyan said: “Given the fact that we have now achieved the original hotel guest targets set for 2014, we have reviewed our goals and are uplifting our sights by 10%. We are now looking to achieve 3.1 million hotel guests this year with a 10% year-on-year compounded growth in the near term.”
Thirteen new hotels and hotel apartments opened in Abu Dhabi in 2013, marking a 10% increase in hotel rooms, or 26,000 more rooms compared to 2012.
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Average length of stay in the emirate also increased, edging up 7% to 3.13 nights, with occupancy rising 9% to 71%.
Although, average rate slipped by 1% to AED 447.60 ($122, room revenue rose 21% to AED 2.84 billion ($772.64 mn), and food & beverage income climbing 17% to AED 2.1 billion ($574 mn).
H.E. Sheikh Sultan said: “We are quietly optimistic about reaching our revised 2014 target with new initiatives coming to market including one which will incentivise the private events sector to bring their products to Abu Dhabi.”
Domestic tourists accounted for just over a third of all arrivals, up 8% from 2012.
India was the largest overseas tourist generator, attracting some 175,929 guests – a 27% rise on 2012. The UK was the second largest overseas producer with 162,973 Britons checking into the emirate’s hotels last year, marking a 16% lift on 2012.
Germany came in as the third largest overseas source market with 119,590 hotel guests – a 24% uplift on 2012, while the longest stayers were Americans with 5.53 nights, Russians with 5.5 nights, and italians with 4.92 nights.
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