Abu Dhabi Hotels Report Record 2013

Abu Dhabi’s hotels have reported their best year to date for 2013, with a guest intake year-on-year rise of 18 per cent.

Figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) show that 2.8 million people checked into the emirate’s 150 hotels and hotel apartments last year, beating TCA’s annual target of 2.5 million.

The figures were based on guest arrivals, guest nights, length of stay and revenues.

Guest intake was close to 8.8 million guest nights, a 26 per cent rise on 2012, with total revenue climbing 18 per cent to Dhs5.48 billion. Occupancy rate rose nine per cent to 71 per cent.

“This is a highly satisfying performance particularly as we have seen 13 more hotels and hotel apartments open throughout 2013 and now have 10 per cent more hotel rooms, totalling just over 26,000, than we had at the end of 2012,” said HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman, TCA Abu Dhabi.

“Given the fact that we have now achieved the original hotel guest targets set for 2014, we have reviewed our goals and are uplifting our sights by 10 per cent. We are now looking to achieve 3.1 million hotel guests this year with a 10 per cent year-on-year compounded growth in the near term.”

TCA Abu Dhabi also revealed figures showing guests stayed for longer periods in the emirate last year than they did in 2012. The average length of stay increased by seven per cent to 3.13 nights.

Room revenue rose 21 per cent to Dhs2.84 billion with food and beverage climbing 17 per cent to Dhs2.1 billion.

Average room rate over the year slipped by one per cent to Dhs447.60.

Domestic tourism remained the biggest source of hotel traffic for the emirate with 960,476 visitors coming from the UAE, a rise of eight per cent on 2012.

India was the largest overseas provider with a rise of 27 per cent, with Indian hotel guests accounting for 691,383 guest nights – up 24 per cent.

The UK was the second largest overseas producer with nearly 163,000 Britons checking into hotels across the emirate, a rise of of 16 per cent on the previous year. Germany was the third largest overseas source market. Americans, Russians and Italians held the longest stays.

“We are quietly optimistic about reaching our revised 2014 target with new initiatives coming to market including one which will incentivise the private events sector to bring their products to Abu Dhabi,” said Sheikh Sultan.

“Last year’s excellent performance was achieved through greater stakeholder engagement and with the solid support of a growing and highly pro-active stakeholder base. We want to thank them for their efforts and believe that together, with a one-destination approach, we can continue our upward momentum.”