Abu Dhabi hotel revenues jump 24% in Feb

Abu Dhabi achieved double-digit growth across its key tourism performance indicators during February, compared to the same month last year, according to figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (Adta).

During February the number of guests staying in the emirate's hotel and hotel apartments rose 17 per cent to 175,309; guest nights increased 29 per cent to 524,594; occupancy levels lifted 16 per cent to 77 per cent; revenue climbed 24 per cent to Dh440 million ($120.5 million) and length of stay expanded 10 per cent to 2.99 nights.

"February puts us on an early track towards achieving our 2011 target with double-digit growth also now showing for the combined first two months of this year compared to last," said Lawrence Franklin, Strategy and Policy Director, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).

"The year-on-year February increase has been primarily driven by major events held in the emirate including the IDEX international defence show, the Al Ain Aerobatic Show and Gourmet Abu Dhabi.

"There is also some evidence of shifting demand resulting from regional issues with hotel guests from Saudi Arabia rising by 90 per cent while there has been a tailing off of hotel guests from Qatar and Oman."

Food and beverage revenue at the emirate's 115 hotels and hotel apartments continues to put in a healthy performance rising 20 per cent compared to February 2010 to Dh142.9 million ($39 million.) The UK maintained its leading position as Abu Dhabi's key source market with hotel guests from Britain rising 29 per cent to 12,832. Other major increases came from the USA, which rose 36 per cent to 8,342, Saudi Arabia which leapt by 90 per cent to 6,950 delivering 15,679 guest nights and France, which went up 49 per cent to 4,760. February also saw Russia enter Abu Dhabi's Top 20 source markets for the first time with an 88 per cent increase in hotel guests to 1,561.

"ADTA will continue to build on this increased business from Russia through its on-the-ground representation in Moscow, two of the emirate's leading hospitality providers - Qasr Al Sarab and Emirates Palace - recently being named among Russian Traveller's most preferred luxury stays and plans for a fully-fledged ADTA office in the Russian capital in the final lease negotiation stage", added Franklin.

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