UAE hotel guests increase
The UAE tourism sector continues to witness good growth as both Dubai and Abu Dhabi announced increase in hotel guests.
The number of hotel guests in Dubai rose six per cent in the first nine months of this year to 5.991 million compared to the 5.641 million guests during the corresponding period in 2009, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) said on Sunday.
DTCM Director General Khalid A. Bin Sulayem said the latest increase in tourism figures follows the 9 per cent increase achieved during the first half of this year. He added that such an increase was possible due to the extensive marketing efforts of DTCM, and the diverse promotional programs it introduces across the global tourism market, in addition to the Department’s cooperation with private sector organizations locally and internationally.
Further, Bin Sulayem expressed his gratitude to the private sector representatives for their sincere efforts and constant cooperation with DTCM to achieve a common goal of boosting Dubai’s tourism sector.
Statistics also indicate that the number of tourist reservations for the first three quarters of 2010 reached 18.731 million compared to 16.378 million during the same period of 2009, marking a 14 per cent increase.
Also, the number of hotel rooms and hotel apartments increased during the first three quarters of 2010 by 16 per cent; from 59,372 rooms and hotel apartments in the first three quarters of last year to 68,654 this year. Hotel occupancy rates were steady for the first nine months of this year and were almost identical to the occupancy rates achieved during the same period last year.
The number of hotel facilities currently active in Dubai reached 565 compared to 533 in the same period last year, marking a 6 per cent increase.
On the other hand, hotel revenues amounted to Dh 9.238 million compared to Dh8.705 million realized during the same period last year, reflecting an increase of six per cent.
The occupancy rate for hotel apartments increased by two per cent during the first nine months of 2010, reaching 66 per cent compared to 64 per cent for the same period in 2009.
During the joint meeting, DTCM also demonstrated international tourism market trends and their affect on the Emirate’s tourism sector, especially with regard to the operation of direct flights between Dubai and other countries across the world.
Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) also released November results showing a 27 per cent increase in hotel guests compared to the same month last year with some 169,001 staying in the emirate.
Guest nights surged 42 per cent compared to the same month last year to 544,753. This made November the second highest performing month this year after February.
Occupancy levels rose by 18 per cent to 77 per cent , average length of stay increased from 2.88 nights to 3.2, while monthly revenue climbed by 24 per cent to Dh509 million ($139.4 million) - the first such growth recorded over the past 11 months.
November's results took Abu Dhabi's hotel guest performance for the first 11 months of 2011 to 1,646,799 coupled with a 17 per cent increase in guest nights to 4.6 million.
"There is no doubt that the staging of the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and it being the finale to the season, had a strong positive influence on November's hotel statistics," said Lawrence Franklin, Strategy '&' Policy Director, ADTA. "The impact of the Grand Prix, the recently opened Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and the Yas Island Show Weekends, mean it is now certain that we will surpass our annual target." Domestic tourism for November grew 19 per cent , while North America proved a strong market growing by 48 per cent in hotel guests. Europe recorded double digit growth of 29 per cent for the first time this year with particularly stunning growth from the UK, which increased by 62 per cent, Germany (24 per cent) and France (8 per cent) - all strong F1 markets.
"Room revenue in November achieved growth of 24 per cent of the back of increased numbers of guests and strong room rates. Average room rate growth slowed by only -6 per cent year-on-year as compared to an average of -26 per cent for the rest of the year," said Franklin. "F'&'B revenues meanwhile notched up their highest growth this year, achieving a 30 per cent increase."
The UK remains Abu Dhabi's top performing overseas market delivering some 108,554 British hotel guests to the emirate in the first 11 months of this year and accounting for some 483,091 guest nights. China has also crept into the emirate's top 20 overseas market rankings lying in 19th place with some 13,586 guests staying in Abu Dhabi this year - a 27 per cent rise on last year -accounting for some 34,691 guest nights.
"As we head into 2011 we are well placed to build on this maturing performance and to solidify gains with even more destination product, promotion and a regular major events portfolio," he added.