Abu Dhabi: More than 2.8 million guests checked into Abu Dhabi’s 156 hotels and hotel apartments during the first 10 months of this year, marking a 25 per cent uplift on the same period last year, according to the Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA).
The figure brings TCA closer to achieving its 3.1 million-guest target for this year.
A statement released by TCA on Monday said that guests delivered 8.5 million nights, which is a 20 per cent increase on the same period last year. Occupancy also climbed six per cent to reach 74 per cent.
Hotel revenues went up 14 per cent to reach Dh4,869 billion, with room revenues up 14 per cent to Dh2.49 billion, while food and beverage income rose 11 per cent to Dh1.84 billion.
“October performance helped significantly with this growth. During the month, guest arrivals were up 18 per cent year-on-year, guest nights rose 13 per cent while revenues lifted four per cent, which should all be viewed against a background of nine per cent more room availability in the market,” said Jasim Al Darmaki, acting director general at TCA. He added that such an upward momentum was likely to continue.
Meanwhile, Christopher Hewett, senior consultant at TRI Hospitality Consulting, attributed the increasing numbers to the growth in passengers to Abu Dhabi brought by rising air links by Etihad Airways.
Hewett said that October was especially strong in terms of occupancy levels, which rose 3.5 per cent to reach 82 per cent, as it was a time when the city was gearing up for many events.
“We’re bullish on Abu Dhabi for next year. Average room rates have levelled out from last year, so I think occupancy will increase marginally in 2015, and I think rates will continue to grow and rebound to high levels,” he told Gulf News.
However, Hewett added that the beginning of recovery in Egypt may present challenges for the hospitality sector in the UAE.
He added that Egypt has been a favourite destination for GCC travellers. “As Egypt continues to rebound and recover from the political and social unrest it had in recent years, we anticipate there will be a flow of visitors [from] those destinations, and that could potentially impact demand within Abu Dhabi from these source markets,” he said.
The emirate’s current average room rate is Dh416, while average length of stay is almost three nights.
Domestic tourism continued to perform well with a 22 per cent uplift in the first 10 months of this year. India remained the largest overseas market with a 33 per cent increase in guest arrivals, followed by the UK and Germany.
Saudi Arabia is now the emirate’s fourth largest international market, and its best regional one, with 33 per cent more Saudi checking into Abu Dhabi’s accommodation in the past 10 months.
