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120036
Mon, 05/03/2010 - 14:04
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https://oananews.org//node/120036
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Abu Dhabi records 19 per cent increase in hotel guests in first quarter
Abu Dhabi, May 3, 2010 (WAM)- Abu Dhabi recorded a 19 per cent increase in the number of guests staying in the emirate’s 116 hotels and hotel apartments in the first quarter of this year, Khaleej Times reported.
Figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), based on its accommodation sector census, show 462,173 hotel guests stayed in the emirate in the first three months of the year accounting for 1,252,144 guest nights – a rise of nine per cent on the same period last year.
“We are on track to attain our year-end target of a 10 per cent increase in hotel guests to 1.65 million,” said Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general of ADTA.
Domestic tourism performed well over the period with a 25 percent growth to 191,949 hotel guests. Abu Dhabi’s top five overseas markets were UK, with 19 per cent growth to 31,320 guests; the GCC, which increased by 29 per cent to account for 26,685 guests; USA, which actually dropped by one per cent to 21,776 guests; India, which rose by 26 per cent to 18,463 guests and Germany, which accounted for 16,467 guests but has slipped back by 20 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2009.
“These results have to be judged in light of Abu Dhabi’s growing accommodation inventory – which has gone to 17,600 rooms in the first quarter of this year, from just under 13,000 this time last year,” explained Al Muhairi.
Average occupancy rates for Abu Dhabi’s accommodation providers from January to end of March this year came in at 66 percent, ahead of some major international tourism destinations including Madrid and Berlin, both of which rated 58 percent and Beijing on 54 percent.
Hotel guest revenue for this period amounted to Dh1.15 billion (US$313 million) and the average length of stay was 2.7 nights.
“Both measures have dropped slightly on first quarter last year by 5 percent and 8 per cent respectively, and we will be focussing heavily on improving both,” added Al Muhairi.
He also claims that Abu Dhabi as a tourism destination is now more affordable. –
Figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), based on its accommodation sector census, show 462,173 hotel guests stayed in the emirate in the first three months of the year accounting for 1,252,144 guest nights – a rise of nine per cent on the same period last year.
“We are on track to attain our year-end target of a 10 per cent increase in hotel guests to 1.65 million,” said Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general of ADTA.
Domestic tourism performed well over the period with a 25 percent growth to 191,949 hotel guests. Abu Dhabi’s top five overseas markets were UK, with 19 per cent growth to 31,320 guests; the GCC, which increased by 29 per cent to account for 26,685 guests; USA, which actually dropped by one per cent to 21,776 guests; India, which rose by 26 per cent to 18,463 guests and Germany, which accounted for 16,467 guests but has slipped back by 20 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2009.
“These results have to be judged in light of Abu Dhabi’s growing accommodation inventory – which has gone to 17,600 rooms in the first quarter of this year, from just under 13,000 this time last year,” explained Al Muhairi.
Average occupancy rates for Abu Dhabi’s accommodation providers from January to end of March this year came in at 66 percent, ahead of some major international tourism destinations including Madrid and Berlin, both of which rated 58 percent and Beijing on 54 percent.
Hotel guest revenue for this period amounted to Dh1.15 billion (US$313 million) and the average length of stay was 2.7 nights.
“Both measures have dropped slightly on first quarter last year by 5 percent and 8 per cent respectively, and we will be focussing heavily on improving both,” added Al Muhairi.
He also claims that Abu Dhabi as a tourism destination is now more affordable. –
