A total of 260,810 guests checked in at Abu Dhabi’s 149 hotels and hotel apartments in November, marking a 26 per cent year-on-year rise, according to figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

Hotel nights reached the figure of 856,785, representing a 27 per cent increase over November 2012,  while occupancy levels lifted 10 per cent to 83 per cent and total revenue lunged 19 per cent upwards to Dh669 million ($190.3 million).

“This is great news which we were cautiously optimistic about given November was packed with events including the headline Grand Prix, the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, the FIFA Under 17 World Cup and Abu Dhabi Art,” said Jasem Al Darmaki, deputy director general, TCA Abu Dhabi.

“It’s all the more gratifying given that since last year the emirate has seen 12 more properties and almost 2,500 new rooms come on line.

“Length of stay – which is now touching 3.3 nights – continues its upward trend which suggests people are increasingly convinced of there being ever more to do and see here.”

November’s performance means that in the first nine months of this year, some 2,530,810 guests have stayed in Abu Dhabi’s accommodation – which is a rise of 17 per cent on the same period last year. Year-to-date, guest nights jumped 26 per cent to over 7.9 million and average-length-of-stay has edged up 8 per cent to 3.14 nights.

Occupancy rate for the year to date is 70 per cent - up 9 per cent on 2012. Total hotel revenues for the year to date is close to Dh5 billion ($1.4 billion) – up 11 per cent on 2012, with f&b income representing close to Dh1.9 billion ($517.2 million), which has climbed 19 per cent. Average room rate is now running at Dh477.22 ($122) – which is a slight dip of 1 per cent on the year.

Domestic tourism is on an upward curve – jumping 6 per cent in terms of guest arrivals to 865,966, yet 30 per cent in guest nights to over 2 million and 23 per cent in length-of-stay to 2.31 nights.

“This is heading in the right direction. More people from within the UAE are choosing to stay in Abu Dhabi and for longer!” said Al Darmaki. “There’s a ways to go but with more events and more product coming to market soon, we’ve a change to build this further.”

India remains the top overseas source market for 2013 with 157,594 Indians checking into Abu Dhabi’s accommodation this year – a 26 per cent increase on 2012. They delivered 620,641 room nights – up by a quarter year-on-year and stay, on average 3.94 nights.

The UK delivered 147,852 guest arrivals for the year to take second place with a 14 per cent uplift. British arrivals accounted for 690,902 guest nights – which is up 24 per cent and they stayed on average for 4.67 nights – an increase of 8 per cent.

Germany came in third place in the overseas guest rankings with 107,264 arrivals – a rise of 25 per cent, translating to 521,293 guest nights – which is up 34 per cent and staying, on average, 4.86 nights, which is up 6 per cent.

“As we enter December and look forward to significant returns from the festive and international holiday season, we can begin the New Year with a sense of satisfaction from targets achieved,” said Al Darmaki.

“And with more air access uplift promised in 2014, with Etihad Airways planning daily flights from Rome, Zurich, Perth, Medina, Los Angeles and Jaipur, four weekly flights from Yerevan in Armenia and a thrice-weekly flight from Dallas Fort Worth, new business opportunities abound.” – TradeArabia News Service