Avu Dhabi's F1 Grand Prix will boost visitor numbers further later in the year

Abu Dhabi has reported a 12 per cent rise in the number of guests staying in its 145 hotels and hotel apartments for the first half of this year compared to the first six months of last year.

Figures just released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority also show guests in the emirate are staying longer and that there have been significant increases in hotel occupancies and revenues.

During the first half of this year some 1,333,339 guests checked into Abu Dhabi accommodation delivering 4,226,604 guest nights – a rise of 25 per cent on 2012.

On average the guest stayed 3.17 nights – which is up 12 per cent on last year, which translates into an occupancy rate of 71 per cent – again up eight per cent on 2012.

“We heading in the right direction and this heightened performance, despite significant increases in resort and hotel inventory, justifies our increased efforts in trade engagement and international marketing and promotion and the expanded product operators and investors have put into the destination,” said HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general, TCA Abu Dhabi.

“We anticipate the momentum building in the second half of the year which covers key happenings such as the Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Art, the Al Ain Aerobatics Show, a number of headline concerts on Yas Island and major sporting events including the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the Wake Park World Champonship Finals.

“On the business events front we can look forward to hosting the International Conference on Neurology and Epidemiology which is expected to be attended by upwards of 600 specialists in these fields and Abu Dhabi’s hosting, this December, of the Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum.”