Abu Dhabi continues to attract more hotel guests

Abu Dhabi is continuing to attract more hotel guests than ever with figures just released by Abu Dhabi Tourism ‘&’ Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) showing that last month some 196,753 guests checked into the emirate’s hotels and hotel apartment, a 7 per cent increase on April 2011. The number of hotel guest nights also rose by 3 per cent month-on-comparative-month to stand at 567,243. Total hotel revenue was up April-to-April by 4 per cent to Dhs397 million ($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 3 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 Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi. “Our efforts are taking on new significance in the important US and Saudi Arabian markets where we have opened fully-staff offices with skilled personnel across the trade distribution and MICE channels,” added Al Muhairi.