Abu Dhabi has recorded its best-ever, first-half hotel results with rises in all its key performance indicators including guest numbers, guest nights, occupancy, revenue and length-of-stay from January–June 2011, compared to the same period last year.

The figures from Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) also confirm the UK as the emirate’s largest hotel visitor source market accounting for some 72,998 guests – a 20% increase on the first half of 2010.

Year-to-date, total hotel guests in the emirate were up 11% to just over 1 million, guest nights increased 26% to over 3 million, occupancy rose 10% to 70%, revenue climbed 6% to AED2.26 billion (US $ 619 million) and average-length-of-stay expanded 13% to 2.97 nights.

“This is an impressive performance and one which bodes well for the destination achieving its stretch target of 2 million guests by the end of this year,” said HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which released the figures.

“The results have been assisted by the destination’s heightened competitiveness with average room rates falling by 15% in the first half compared to last year making Abu Dhabi a more affordable upscale option than Sydney, Paris, New York or Tokyo.”

Sheikh Sultan says the second-half of the year could prove stellar for the destination despite the planned opening of a flurry of major hotel properties.

“The fact is that we have an up-scaled major events calendar, superior resort openings and compelling visitor package deals in the offing. This includes the third Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this November, nationwide celebrations this December to mark the 40th anniversary of the United Arab Emirates and the highly-anticipated hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race fleet for a two-week , carnival-style stopover starting December 30,” he explained. “We have a great accommodation and attractions infrastructure now in place, keener competitiveness and a more compelling story with which to engage potential visitors.”

Some ten luxury, five-star resorts are due on stream in Abu Dhabi by the end of the year which will  heighten competition in some segments  though ADTA believes they will significantly add to the destination’s appeal and expand its overall market reach.

“Many of these are major beachfront resorts which will substantially boost our leisure proposition,” explained Sheikh Sultan. “And, with all being managed by high-end chains, there will significant additional weight added to the destination’s international marketing through CRM and the combined power of these chains in distribution channels.”

Key properties to open are: the Westin Hotel & Spa, Abu Dhabi Golf Club; the Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara; the Hyatt Capital Gate, which borders Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC); the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island; the Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi, the luxury brand’s first foray into the Middle East; the ultra-luxurious St. Regis Saadiyat Resort and Residences, Saadiyat Island; the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers on the UAE capital’s sweeping Corniche and the Ritz Carlton Grand Canal Abu Dhabi, which overlooks a private marina.

In addition to the UK, other destinations making significant contributions to the overall figures were India, up 22%; Germany 15%; Saudi Arabia 44%; France 29%; Italy 22%, Australia 18%; Kuwait 19% and Russia 40%.

“We have benefited from on-the-ground representation in Russia and anticipate further increases from the US and Saudi Arabia where on-the-ground representation has recently been activated,” added Sheikh Sultan.