MIDDLE EAST – Abu Dhabi‘s hospitality industry got off to a promising start in 2013 with a near across-the-board increase in key performance indicators, according to figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).
During January 2013, 203,925 guests stayed in the emirate’s 137 hotels and hotel apartments, a three per cent rise on the same month in 2012. The guests accounted for 680,737 guest nights, an increase of 19 per cent on the comparative month last year, and accounted for AED427m (US$116m) in revenue. Hotel occupancy in January increased by five per cent to 70 per cent, with the average length of stay increasing by 16 per cent to 3.34 nights.
The UK delivered 12,218 guests in January 2013 making it the top European guest source market.
“UK guests who are coming to Abu Dhabi are staying longer, accounting for 57,273 guest nights – a rise of six per cent,” said Director General of TCA Abu Dhabi, HE Mubarak Al Muhairi. “We believe our strong message that there is so much more to see and do in Abu Dhabi is taking hold.”
Major events helped drive January’s performance with the emirate hosting its annual Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, a Yas Island concert by international rapper Kanye West, and the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, including the World Future Energy Summit.
“We are moving in the right direction with the average length of stay having passed our targeted three nights mark. With the late January opening of the Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi waterpark (pictured) and Yas Beach, the impending opening of major new hotels and planned new air services from the USA, Hong Kong and Brazil, we are confident we can further expand the average length of stay,” said Muhairi.
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