Abu Dhabi Hits Its 2013 Guest Target A Month Early Notable November Takes Arrivals Past 2.3 Million

Abu Dhabi’s hospitality industry has hit the emirate’s 2013 hotel guest target a month early with a notable November performance taking total arrivals to date over the 2.5 million mark.

Figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) show last month’s arrivals at the emirate’s 149 hotels and hotel apartments rose 26% year-on-year with some 260,810 guests checking in and delivering 856,785 hotel nights – a 27% uplift on November 2012. Occupancy levels for the month lifted 10% to 83% and total revenue lunged 19% upwards to AED669 million (US $190.3 million).

“This is great news which we were cautiously optimistic about given November was packed with events including the headline Grand Prix, the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, the FIFA Under 17 World Cup and Abu Dhabi Art,” said HE Jasem Al Darmaki, Deputy Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi.

“It’s all the more gratifying given that since last year the emirate has seen 12 more properties and almost 2,500 new rooms come on line.

“Length of stay – which is now touching 3.3 nights – continues its upward trend which suggests people are increasingly convinced of there being ever more to do and see here.”

November’s performance means that in the first nine months of this year, some 2,530,810 guests have stayed in Abu Dhabi’s accommodation – which is a rise of 17% on the same period last year. Year-to-date, guest nights jumped 26% to over 7.9 million and average-length-of-stay has edged up 8% to 3.14 nights.

Occupancy rate for the year to date is 70% - up 9% on 2012. Total hotel revenues for the year to date is close to AED 5 billion (US $1.4 billion) – up 11% on 2012, with f&b income representing close to AED1.9 billion (US $517.2 million), which has climbed 19%. Average room rate is now running at AED477.22 (US $122) – which is a slight dip of 1% on the year.

Domestic tourism is on an upward curve – jumping 6% in terms of guest arrivals to 865,966, yet 30% in guest nights to over 2 million and 23% in length-of-stay to 2.31 nights.

“This is heading in the right direction. More people from within the UAE are choosing to stay in Abu Dhabi and for longer!” said Al Darmaki. “There’s a ways to go but with more events and more product coming to market soon, we’ve a change to build this further.”

India remains the top overseas source market for 2013 with 157,594 Indians checking into Abu Dhabi’s accommodation this year – a 26% increase on 2012. They delivered 620,641 room nights – up by a quarter year-on-year and stay, on average 3.94 nights.

The UK delivered 147,852 guest arrivals for the year to take second place with a 14% uplift. British arrivals accounted for 690,902 guest nights – which is up 24% and they stayed on average for 4.67 nights – an increase of 8%. Germany came in third place in the overseas guest rankings with 107,264 arrivals – a rise of 25%, translating to 521,293 guest nights – which is up 34% and staying, on average, 4.86 nights, which is up 6%.

“As we enter December and look forward to significant returns from the festive and international holiday season, we can begin the New Year with a sense of satisfaction from targets achieved,” said Al Darmaki.

“And with more air access uplift promised in 2014, with Etihad Airways planning daily flights from Rome, Zurich, Perth, Medina, Los Angeles and Jaipur, four weekly flights from Yerevan in Armenia and a thrice-weekly flight from Dallas Fort Worth, new business opportunities abound.”

Emirate:  Abu Dhabi

Date: Dec 29, 2013

Back