July 27, 2012--ABU DHABI -- A total of 1.189 million guests stayed in Abu Dhabi--s hotels in the first six months of 2012, an increase of 14 per cent over the first half of 2011. However, the hotel occupancy rate in Abu Dhabi over the six months dropped by seven per cent to 65 per cent.

It was largely due to an increase in room inventory as the emirate now has some 128 hotels and hotel apartments accounting for 22,079 rooms.

The average length of stay also slipped five per cent to 2.83 days and revenue per available room was down 15 per cent to Dh301.67, reflecting increased market competitiveness.

Data from the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, or TCA Abu Dhabi, show 1,189,995 guests checked into hotels and hotel apartments throughout the emirate from January to June this year accounting for some 3,369,228 guest nights, an increase of nine per cent year-on-year.

"This is a very encouraging performance which leaves us well on track to attain our yearly target of 2.3 million guests," TCA Abu Dhabi director-general Mubarak Al Muhairi said. "The task ahead is to maintain the momentum but we are relatively confident of doing this as we look forward to a season ahead packed with major events, including the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi Art and the planned November opening of Yas Waterworld, which will be the UAE's largest water park.

A stellar June performance of 205,950 hotel guests -- figures this year were up 17 per cent on June 2011 -- helped achieve the record half yearly results.

"This year the entire hospitality chain, supported by significant numbers of service and attraction suppliers, came together with the authority to mount a concerted summer campaign which offered compelling incentives to come to Abu Dhabi over summer," added Al Muhairi.

Over the first six months of the year, Abu Dhabi achieved over 2.5 million room nights, an increase of eight per cent on 2011. Total revenue was up by two per cent to Dh2.3 billion; some Dh921.8 million came from food and beverage income, which was up by 11 per cent, while the Dh1.15 billion room revenue was a four per cent dip on 2011.

Most key markets returned an increase in hotel guests over the six months with the exception of the UK, the US and France.

The number of Indians staying in Abu Dhabi's hotels rose 31 per cent to 65,519 guests accounting for 234,043 guest nights, a rise of 15 per cent year-on-year, making it the second largest overseas source markets, while Germany grew 44 per cent to 49,126 with a 40 per cent guest night growth leaving it in third place.

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(c)2012 the Khaleej Times (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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