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15pc JUMP IN REVENUES

Volvo Ocean Race ... a major year-end event in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi hotels report 26pc growth in guest arrivals

ABU DHABI, November 6, 2014

Abu Dhabi’s 156 hotels and hotel apartments have reported their best nine months yet this year in terms of guest arrivals, guest nights, occupancy and revenue.

Figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) show that from January to September end, 2,498,672 guests checked into the emirate’s accommodation – a 26 per cent year-on-year increase. The arrivals delivered 7,502,924 guest nights, which was up 21 per cent on the same period last year with hotel occupancy rising 7 per cent to 73 per cent.

Hotel revenues climbed to Dh4.268 billion ($1.16 billion), which is a 15 per cent growth on last year with room revenues growing 16 per cent to Dh2.170 billion ($591 million) and food and beverage income rising 12 per cent to Dh1.626 billion ($442.6 milliion).

“This is a very encouraging performance particularly when viewed in the context of there being eight more hotels this time compared to last year and over 2,000 more rooms. It leaves us extremely well placed to achieve our annual guest target of 3.1 million this year,” said Jasem Al Darmaki, acting director general, TCA Abu Dhabi.

“There has, unfortunately, been a slow-down in length of stay, which fell by 4 per cent compared to last year's 2.56 nights and we have our eyes firmly focused on addressing this issue through a number of mechanisms. We will, for instance, be promoting our three destination regions of Abu Dhabi city and environs, our heritage heartland of Al Ain and the Al Gharbia Western region in distinct areas of our international promotions from now on. In this way, we will drive home a message of what each region has to offer – that in fact Abu Dhabi is many destinations in one and has a huge diversity of experiences for visitors. We hope that we can encourage visitors arriving in the UAE capital to get out and discover what the emirate has to offer, we’re confident, they’ll be pleased, if somewhat surprised at how much there is to see and do.

“In addition we are expanding many of our events to take in Al Ain and Al Gharbia as well as the UAE capital – this is now the case with the relaunched Abu Dhabi Classics international concert series which runs until May next year and with the new Abu Dhabi Food Festival.”

Domestic tourism continued to perform well with arrivals from the UAE rising 23 per cent to 845,316 which delivered 21 per cent more guest nights year-on-year to 1,926,934.

India remains the emirate’s most productive overseas market with 162,394 Indians checking into Abu Dhabi’s accommodation which was up by a third on the first nine months of last year. Indians are staying 3.78 nights on average.

“There is yet more potential to tap into from India particularly given that Etihad Airways will launch a new daily service from Kolkota in February,” explained Al Darmaki.

The UK is the emirate’s second largest overseas market with some 136,970 Britons staying in Abu Dhabi hotels during the first nine months which is a 25 per cenet year-on-year uplift. The British accounted for 597,814 guest nights, which was up 15 per cent and stayed, on average, 4.36 nights.

“Again there is significant new potential ready to emerge from the UK with Etihad planning daily flights from the Scottish capital of Edinburgh next June and a number of stakeholders are specifically looking to network with Scottish outbound operators with tailored product at this November’s World Travel Market in London,” said Al Darmaki.

Germany is the third largest market for hotel guests with 92,623 Germans staying in Abu Dhabi’s hotels in the first nine months, 11 per cent more than last year. They delivered 441,860 guest nights, which was up 9 per cent and stayed, on average, 4.77 nights.

Saudi Arabia is the emirate’s fourth largest overseas market and its biggest in the GCC with 87,186 Saudis checking in – 34 per cent more than last year. In all they delivered 186,335 guest nights, which is a 27 per cent uplift and they stayed, on average 2.14 nights.

One of the fastest-growing markets for Abu Dhabi is China. Guest arrivals from country rose a massive 167 per cent in the first nine months to 81,525. The Chinese guests accounted for 141,044 guest nights – a 150 per cent uplift and they stayed, on average, 1.73 nights.

“We see particular potential in developing length of stay among our Chinese visitors with the outbound market in the republic now moving away from solely group travel to independent stays. In addition, an increasing number of Abu Dhabi stakeholders – both hoteliers and attraction suppliers – are now developing specific product for the Chinese visitor which will increase our chances of encouraging them to stay longer in the emirate,” added Al Darmaki.

“We have a strong case to push both in the leisure and MICE sectors given our highly competitive accommodation costs particularly when viewed against the excellent facilities and services provided here in comparison to some other destinations.” Abu Dhabi’s prevailing room rate currently stands at Dh409 ($112). - TradeArabia News Service




Tags: abu dhabi | hotels | Guests |

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