Abu Dhabi hotel guests climb 12%

The number of guests at Abu Dhabi hotels, hotel apartments and resorts grew 12 per cent to 192,374 in May, spending 542,567 guest nights, which also represented an increase of seven per cent over the corresponding period last year. Revenues recorded a three per cent increase in the month to Dh360 million in May as the occupancy rate reached 63 per cent, an eight per cent retreat from May 2011 figures. The average length of stay at Abu Dhabi hotels also slipped by four per cent to 2.82 guestnights. Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority director-general Mubarak Al Muhairi said the average length of stay is one of the key metrics of performance. He added that the body is adopting several initiatives to attract more tourists to the emirate, one of which is the current The Summer in Abu Dhabi festival.