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The number of guests staying in Abu Dhabi’s 127 hotels, hotel apartments and resorts rose by 29% in January 2012 compared to the same month the previous year, according to figures just released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.
During January some 198,139 guests stayed in the emirate, with the number of guest nights also rising, this time by 20% to 571,672. The UK produced a 15% increase to 13,005 guests.
"The increases in guest arrivals and nights spent appears to have been significantly influenced by January’s dynamic events calendar. The Volvo Ocean Race and the fortnight of activities staged to coincide with it coupled with events such as the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and the World Future Energy Summit, which attracted some 650 exhibiting companies to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, contributed significantly" explained His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.
Revenue for Abu Dhabi’s hotels rose to £70 million (AED408 million) in January 2012, an increase of 11% on January 2011. Food and beverage revenue rose 18% during the same period to £26.6 million (AED155.3 million). Hotel occupancy stabilised at 66% – the same rate as January 2010.
"This is promising news on which to start the year, given the considerable additions to our portfolio of beachfront hotels. Competition has heightened, but new beachfront and golf course-fronting properties are significantly enhancing our leisure appeal," explained Al Muhairi.
"We also anticipate good results for February with the recent World Ophthalmology Congress delivering significant hotel bookings."
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
