Indian guests continue to drive Abu Dhabi hotels

India continued to be the major driving force as a source market for Abu Dhabi hotels in the first half of 2014, with GCC countries also posting healthy growth.

In the first six months of the year, 107,995 Indians checked into Abu Dhabi’s hotels, up 35% year-on-year. These guests delivered 408,862 guest nights, a 22% uplift, and stayed, on average, 3.79 nights.

According to Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), growth from the GCC was driven by Kuwait (up 44%), Oman (up 41%) and Saudi Arabia (up 21%), while domestic tourism was also robust, up 25%.

"There has been a slight fall off in the average-length-of-stay of our Indian guests which we are now assessing and will work with stakeholders to better tailor product specific to this guest sector profile," said TCA Abu Dhabi deputy director general Jasem Al Darmaki.

"Specific product marketing is now also being developed by stakeholders for the increasingly prolific Chinese and Russian markets."

The UK was Abu Dhabi’s second largest overseas market, with 98,710 British guests checking in during H1, up 26%. They accounted for 423,737 guest nights, a rise of 17% and stayed, on average, 4.29 nights.

Germany came in as the third most productive international market. 67,768 Germans checked into Abu Dhabi, up 8%, delivering an 11% increase in guest nights to 328,351. They stayed, on average, 4.85 nights.

"We are quietly confident of ending the year right on target and addressing key areas which we have identified as ripe for improvement, including expansion of length-of-stay, particularly in our Al Gharbia Western Region and Al Ain," added Al Darmaki.

As previously reported, TCA Abu Dhabi data shows that 1.7 million guests checked into the emirate’s accommodation in the first six months of the year, up 28% on the same period in 2013.