Abu Dhabi has witnessed a 11 per cent growth in the number of hotel guests during the first seven months and is well-placed to meet its annual target of 2.3 million, according to a senior tourism official.

The number of hotel guests in the UAE capital soared to 1.37 million during the period between January and July when compared to last year, said The Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) in its monthly report.

While traditionally lower travel rates during Ramadan saw Abu Dhabi’s hotels and hotel apartments return a 6 per cent drop in year-on-year hotel guests for July, the average length of stay – a key growth focus – rose to 2.84 days last month, an increase of 6 per cent on the corresponding month last year.

In total, some 178,099 guests stayed at Abu Dhabi’s hotels and hotel apartments in July, returning 504,982 guest nights -  down one per cent compared to last year, said the TCA Abu Dhabi in its report.

The number of room nights too dipped 4 per cent, falling to 359,465 from the 373,254 tallied last July. The seven-month figures for guest nights and room nights show year-on-year increasesof 7 per cent and 6 per cent, respectively.

Axccording to TCA Abu Dhabi, the food & beverage revenues – a key source of accommodation sector income - remained constant at Dh98.1 million to ensure seven-month takings are 10 per cent up onlast year, totaling Dh1 billion.

'We remain on track to achieve our 2.3 million hotel guest target as we enter our traditional busy season,' remarked TCA Abu Dhabi director general Mubarak Al Muhairi.
 
'With a packed entertainment schedule of world-class events anda host of new leisure attractions due to open across the emirate, includingthe UAE’s largest water park,Yas Waterworld, we are confident momentum will rise and we’ll reach our  target,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service