New figures from Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority show that in the first five months of 2014 some 1,435,932 guests stayed in the emirate’s 155 hotels and hotel apartments - a 30 per cent increase on the same period in 2013.

The figure equates to 4,375,395 guest nights, up 22 per cent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, hotel revenues rose by 14 per cent to AED2,675 billion, with food and beverage income climbing by 12 per cent to just over AED1 billion.

The UK is the emirate’s second strongest market, training India, with 85,956 Brits staying in Abu Dhabi, a 28 per cent rise on 2013.

British guests accounted for 369,781 guest nights, up 18 per cent, and stayed an average of 4.3 nights.

“Overall the performance makes for good reading. Abu Dhabi constantly produces more compelling reasons to visit and to stay longer,” explained HE Jasem Al Darmaki, deputy director general, TCA Abu Dhabi.

“The average room rate now represents exceptional consumer value.

“We will be pushing this message out vigorously through all our marketing and communications channels across our entire local, regional and international trade and media networks”, said Al Darmaki.

The average length of stay currently stands at just over three nights while the average room rate is just AED 448.

Russians remain Abu Dhabi’s longest stayers, averaging 6.22 nights each in the emirate.

The first five months have seen a 30 per cent growth in domestic guests coming into Abu Dhabi, while internationally India is now the top performing market for the emirate up 38 per cent year-on-year.
   
“We are poised to achieve our 2014 guest arrivals target of 3.2 million and anticipate increased business from Australia and Italy with Etihad Airways’ planned launch, this July, of new routes from Perth and Rome,” added Al Darmaki.