More guests have checked into Abu Dhabi’s 146 hotels and hotel apartments in the first seven months of this year compared to any other comparative period, according to figures releases by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.

The figures show that from January-July end, guest arrivals topped the 1.5 million mark – a ten per cent increase on the same period last year.

In all the arrivals delivered almost 4.8 million guest nights – up 23 per cent on 2012 with guests staying, on average 3.17 nights – which is a rise of 12 per cent on last year driving occupancy up by seven per cent to 68 per cent.

Year-to-date hotel revenues have risen 16 per cent to almost AED3 billion with food & beverage accounted for AED1.17 billion.

“These results make encouraging reading when viewed against the fact that hotel inventory in the emirate has grown from 137 properties and 23,613 rooms in 2012 to 146 offering 25,300 rooms this year,” said HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general, TCA Abu Dhabi.

“And with a final quarter ahead of us which is packed with major events including the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Art, the Seatrade Middle East Forum and the Al Ain Aerobatic Show, we could see the best results of the year yet to come.”

The year-to-date figures show building annual momentum despite a lacklustre July performance which saw hotel guest arrivals in Abu Dhabi slip by four per cent on July 2012 to 170,887 and occupancy dip by two per cent to 54 per cent.

“Though we received fewer guests last July than in July 2012, which we anticipated with the onset of Ramadan, those who did check into Abu Dhabi stayed longer, which is a good sign that we are providing additional attractions to encourage expanded length-of-stay,” said Al Muhairi.

“Interestingly Al Gharbia – our Western Region – was the exception to the July trend.

“It increased guest arrivals by three per cent to 4,986 with guest nights moving up 22 per cent to 21,759 and average-length-of-stay up by 19 per cent to 4.36.

“This could be due to the fact that accommodation in Al Gharbia is a largely resort-oriented with significant uptake from the international market for resorts in the Liwa Desert and on Sir Bani Yas Island,” explained Al Muhairi.