Abu Dhabi has reported a 12% increase in guests staying in its 145 hotels and hotel apartments during the first six months of 2013.

Figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) show 1,333,339 guests checked into Abu Dhabi accommodation during the first half of this year, generating 4,226,604 guest nights - a rise of 25% on 2012. 

On average, guests stayed 3.17 nights - up 12% on 2012, translating into an occupancy rate of 71% - up 8% on the previous year.

During the first six months of this year, 78,053 Britons stayed in the emirate's hotels - a 9% increase on 2012. They generated 362,690 room nights, up 21%, and stayed an average of 4.65 nights - an 11% increase.

"We are heading in the right direction and this heightened performance, despite significant increases in resort and hotel inventory, justifies our increased trade engagement and international marketing and the expanded product operators and investors have put into the destination," said HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi.

"We anticipate the momentum building in the second half of the year which covers key events such as the Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Art, the Al Ain Aerobatics Show, a number of headline concerts on Yas Island and major sporting events including the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the Wake Park World Champonship Finals.

"On the business events front we can look forward to hosting the International Conference on Neurology and Epidemiology which is expected to attractover 600 specialists and Abu Dhabi's hosting of the Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum in December."

Year-to-date hotel revenues rose 16% to £479,802,960 (AED 2.7 billion) despite a slight fall-off of 3% in average room rate to £80 (AED 447). Food & beverage income continued to hold its own, climbing 15% to £17,770,480 (AED 1 billion).

Abu Dhabi's strong performance was aided by a bumper June when guest arrivals rose 13%, guest nights increased 22%, revenues shot up by 13%, people stayed longer and occupancy increased by 6% to 65%.

"We are gradually breaking the cycle of major business dips in summer," explained Al Muhairi. "And what's really encouraging is that guests are staying longer - which suggests our campaign to convince people that there's now much more to do and see in Abu Dhabi, is taking hold. We've broken through the three nights stay mark."

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Results PR
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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.