More guests have checked into Abu Dhabi's 146 hotels and hotel apartments in the first seven months of 2013 than in any other comparative period, according to figures just released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

Figures show that from January-July, guest arrivals topped 1.5 million - a ten per cent increase on the same period in 2012. The arrivals delivered almost 4.8 million guest nights - up 23 per cent on 2012, with guests staying an average of 3.17 nights - up 12 per cent on 2012 and driving occupancy up by seven per cent to 68 per cent. 

The UK is Abu Dhabi's second largest overseas market with 86,284 Britons staying in Abu Dhabi's hotels in the first seven months of 2013, a climb of eight per cent on 2012. They delivered 406,475 guest nights, up by a fifth on 2012, staying an average of 4.71 nights - up 11 per cent on 2012. 

Year to date hotel revenues have risen 16 per cent to almost £52.4 million (AED 3 billion), with food and beverage accounting for £20.5 million in sales (AED 1.17 billion).

"These results make encouraging reading considering that hotel inventory in the emirate has grown from 137 properties and 23,613 rooms in 2012 to 146 locations offering 25,300 rooms this year," said HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi.

"With the final quarter ahead of us which is packed with major events including the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Art, the Seatrade Middle East Forum and the Al Ain Aerobatic Show, the best results could be yet to come."

"Though we welcomed fewer guests in July 2013 than in July 2012, which we anticipated with the onset of Ramadan, those who did check into Abu Dhabi stayed longer, which is a good sign that we are providing additional attractions to encourage extended stays," said Al Muhairi.

"Interestingly Al Gharbia - our Western Region - was the exception to the July trend. It increased guest arrivals by three per cent to 4,986, with guest nights moving up 22 per cent to 21,759 and the average length of stay up 19 per cent to 4.36. This could be due to the fact that accommodation in Al Gharbia is a largely resort-oriented with significant uptake from the international market for resorts in the Liwa Desert and on Sir Bani Yas Island," explained Al Muhairi.


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About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority:
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. 

The authority manages the emirate's tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

TCA Abu Dhabi supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate's heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination's development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.