Momentum builds as Abu Dhabi records best May yet
Abu Dhabi's 146 hotels and hotel apartments delivered their best May on record, according to figures just released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).
Growth was recorded across guest arrivals, guest nights, average length of stay, occupancy and revenues.
The UK ranked the second largest overseas source market with some 12,978 Britons checking into the emirate in May 2013, an 18% rise on the same period in 2012. They stayed on average 4.59 nights, up 10% on the corresponding period, and accounted for 59,514 guest nights - up 29%.
During May 2013 some 232,650 guests checked into the emirate's accommodation - a rise of 21% on May 2012, accounting for 716,041 guest nights.
"This is an extremely heartening result, as we seek to achieve a greater traction to balance our supply and demand equation," said HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi. "We are particularly encouraged by growth in the average length of stay, up 9% to 3.08 nights. This suggests that our campaign to convince travellers of our 'more to see and do' destination proposition is converting into extended stays. While there is still much to be done, the results suggest we are on the right track."
Occupancy rates nudged up 7% during May 2013 to 67% with total revenues climbing 22% to GBP 78 million (AED 439.5 million) which represents 22% month-on-month growth. Room revenues rose 23% to GBP 36.4 million (AED 205.15 million) while food and beverage income grew 23% to GBP 33 million (AED 185.8 million).
Abu Dhabi has now experienced consistent arrivals growth every month in 2013 and leaves it well placed to achieve its 2013 target of 2.5 million hotel guests.
To date, 1.1 million guests have stayed in the emirate's hotels in 2013 - a 12% rise on the first five months of 2012. The guests have delivered 3,573,854 guest nights - which is up 26% year to date with the average length of stay moving up 13% to 3.25 nights. Year to date revenues have climbed 17% to GBP 407.6 million (AED 2.3 billion) of which food and beverages accounted for GBP 160.9 million (AED 908 million) and is up 15% on 2012. Average room rate in the first five months came in at GBP 82 (AED 464).
"The destination represents incredible value-for-money when consumers take into account the increasingly high standard of accommodation and services offered."
"We have recognised the challenge of the traditional summer month slow down and, with keen stakeholder backing, are offering visitors incentives through the SummerFest Abu Dhabi campaign with its headline concerts, sports and family entertainment programme and 'Thrilling Stays' packages at over 40 hotels in the emirate which includes free tickets to our headline Yas Island attractions of Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi," said Al Muhairi.
