Abu Dhabi continues to see guest numbers rise

Abu Dhabi is continuing to attract more hotel guests than ever, with figures just released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority showing some 196,753 guests checked into the emirate’s hotels and hotel apartments last month. This is a seven per cent increase on April 2011, with the number of hotel guest nights also rising by three per cent month-on-comparative-month, to stand at 567,243. Total hotel revenue was up April-to-April by four per cent to AED397 million (US $ 108 million). Hotel occupancy last month however dropped 11 per cent on April last year but still comes in at a relatively healthy 64 per cent. Average length of stay slipped three per cent on the comparative month and is now just under three nights. “Overall performance in the first four months of this year has to be viewed positively, certainly if we can maintain guest growth we will reach our annual target of 2.3 million this year – with some important projects coming up later this year to benefit from,” said HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority. “These include September’s hosting, at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre, of the World Routes Development Forum which, it is anticipated, will bring around 3,500 of the top airline, airports and tourism influencers to the city and November’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which will be quickly followed by Abu Dhabi Art. “Nevertheless we are in no way complacent and are actively working, in close collaboration with stakeholders, on a number of key initiatives to drive up domestic and regional tourism during the summer months, over Ramadan and Eid. “And we look forward to the opening later this year of another major power draw on Yas Island with the planned opening of the expansive Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi.”