More than one million guests checked into hotels in Abu Dhabi in the first half of the year, according to new figures released today.
The performance of hotels in January to June in the emirate was described by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) as the "best-ever" for the first-half.
"Results have been assisted by the destination's heightened competitiveness with average room rates falling by 15 per cent in the first half compared to last year making Abu Dhabi a more affordable up-scale option than Sydney, Paris, New York or Tokyo," said Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, the chairman of the ADTA.
The number of hotel guests in the first six months of this year rose 11 per cent compared to the same period last year, while guest nights increased 26 per cent to more than 3 million, the data from the ADTA showed. Occupancy increased by 10 per cent to 70 per cent, while total revenue rose 6 per cent to Dh2.26 billion (US $ 619 million). The average length-of-stay grew by 13 per cent to 2.97 nights.
This puts Abu Dhabi on track to achieve its target of attracting 2 million hotel guests in 2011.
The ten luxury resorts that are expected to open Abu Dhabi by the end of the year will ultimately increase the destination's
appeal, the ADTA said. Analysts say that the additional properties are likely to put pressure on room rates in the emirate in short-term, however.
The hotels scheduled to open this year include the Jumeirah Etihad Towers hotel, expected to open in September, a Rocco Forte hotel, a Westin resort at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, and the Park Hyatt and St Regis resorts on Saadiyat Island.
"Many of these are major beachfront resorts which will substantially boost our leisure proposition," said Sheikh Sultan. "And, with all being managed by high-end chains, there will significant additional weight added to the destination's international marketing."
rbundhun@thenational.ae
