Abu Dhabi’s 2011 stretch hotel guest target of 2 million is now within sight as last month produced record figures for any October with some 182,553 guest arrivals – a 21% increase on October 2010. Guest nights also rose 17% on the same comparative month to 582,929 and occupancy was up 7%.

October performance means that in the first 10 months of this year, Abu Dhabi’s hotels and hotel apartments received some 1,697,140 guests which is 15% above the same period last year.

“The signs are good for achieving our 2011 stretch target with expected good figures for November resulting from the staging of the third Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and with an end-of-year influx anticipated as guests arrive for the New Year’s hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race fleet,” explained Lawrence Franklin, Strategy & Policy Director, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which released the October figures today.

October also recorded a 2% increase in overall revenue to AED410 million (US $ 111.7 million) when compared to October 2010, which was primarily driven by a strong performance in food and beverage revenue which grew 5% and a slight increase in room revenue which was up by 1%. Overall increases in revenue were tempered by decreases in average room rates and RevPar. They fell 11% to AED489.06(US $133) and 5% to AED377.02(US $102.7) respectively.

Food and beverage revenue continues to make a positive contribution to bottom line performance providing 37% of total revenue or year-to-date revenue of AED 1.27 billion (US 345 million) – a climb of 9%. Average length of stay during October dropped slightly on the same month last year from 3.30 days to 3.19.

“The year-to-date performance is all on the positive side with increases across all metrics including occupancy levels which are up 9% to 68%, revenue, which has risen 5% to AED 3.4 billion (US $941 million) and with an 8% uplift in the average length of stay to 2.99 nights,” explained Franklin.

During October, the GCC continued to be a high performing region for Abu Dhabi with guest arrivals from the Gulf climbing 59%. Saudi Arabia accounted for the strongest regional growth of 92%, which translates into 4,539 guests; followed by Kuwait from where guest arrivals rose 61% to 1,105 and Qatar which produced 1,624 guests reflecting a 45% increase on October 2010.

“Regional destination marketing, the staging of trade road shows within the Gulf and the hosting of inbound regional media appear to be delivering the results and awareness of Abu Dhabi’s upgraded destination offering in terms of both hotel, resort and attractions infrastructure as well as events,” said Franklin.

Within Europe, the UK and Germany continued their upward performance with some 13,065 Britons staying in Abu Dhabi hotels during last month – a rise of 13% on October 2010 and some 6,670 German guests staying – which is up 38% on the same comparative period. India weighed in as the destination’s second largest overseas market with some 10,196 hotel guests staying – an increase of 37% on October 2010.

“We are also anticipating increased business over the coming months emerging also from our recently-launched Golf In Abu Dhabi initiative which has already created significant interest from international golf tour operators,” added Franklin.

Arab Air Carriers Organisation to hold AGM in Abu Dhabi

The 44th annual general meeting of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation in Abu Dhabi on Monday is the latest event to take place in Abu Dhabi, bringing together the chief executives of 25 member airlines in addition to a large number of aviation stake-holders for the key aviation event in the Middle East.

To see more on the event click here.