Abu Dhabi records 16% rise in hotel guests in July

Abu Dhabi saw a 16 per cent rise in the number of guests staying in the emirate's 116 licensed hotels and hotel apartments last month compared to July 2009.

Guest numbers rose to 137,714 with the numbers of nights stayed totalling 376,439 - a 24 per cent increase on July 2009. The average length of stay also increased by six per cent to stand at 2.73 nights.

The figures, just released by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), make July the ninth consecutive month of double-digit guests growth for the emirate with, for the first time, international market growth of 29 per cent outstripping domestic growth, which turned in a four per cent increase.

The UAE still accounted for the largest number of guests in July with some 63,027 staying in the emirate's hotels while the UK came in as the largest international market with some 7,101 guests - a 27 per cent rise on July 2009. Saudi Arabia also turned in substantial growth of 47 per cent with some 4,682 guests from the Kingdom staying in Abu Dhabi's accommodation during the month while guests from France increased 36 per cent to 2,070.

Additional room capacity continued to drive down overall occupancy levels which are 13 per cent lower than July 2009 with average room rates down by 23 per cent. Hotel apartments achieved a healthier 72 per cent occupancy rate against their hotel counterparts which managed 54 per cent.

"Growth in what is traditionally a slow summer month for Abu Dhabi is immensely encouraging," said Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, ADTA.

"Our guest performance this year has now gone over the million mark leaving us well placed to meet, if not exceed, our 2010 target of 1.65 million.

"We are confident because of what lies ahead in the coming months for Abu Dhabi with the October launch of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi which we believe will have strong regional and international appeal and November's staging of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which is shaping up to be an thrilling finale for the F1 season.

"In addition we have a strong business tourism line-up with a highlight being this November's staging of the inaugural World Green Tourism Summit Abu Dhabi which has a powerful international speaker and exhibitor line-up."

Some 1,074,293 guests have stayed in Abu Dhabi's hotels and hotel apartments from January to July end this year - a 16 per cent increase on the same period last year. Food and beverage revenues have grown 14 per cent over the same comparative period and now account for 35 per cent of all hotel revenues.
 

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