Abu Dhabi hotel occupancy rises in July - gulfnews.com

Abu Dhabi: Record levels for hotel guests in Abu Dhabi during the month of July have pushed occupancy levels up nine per cent to 65 per cent and overall revenue up six per cent to Dh271 million, according to a statement released by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (Adta) on Monday.

Around 189,000 guests stayed in Abu Dhabi's hotels and hotel apartments in July, the statement said, with a surge in visitors from the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) region.

Compared to the same month last year, guests from the GCC region soared 98 per cent while those from the wider Arab market increased by 44 per cent, it said.

"The regional upsurge could likely be attributed to GCC travellers opting to spend time in a destination they associate with safety for their families and with more of them choosing to holiday in July ahead of the Holy Month of Ramadan when they wish to be at home with their families," said Lawrence Franklin, Strategy & Policy Director at the ADTA.

"We are also benefitting from increased awareness of Abu Dhabi's offering resulting from greater product packaging in conjunction with stakeholders, such as the Etihad Airways-led Essential Abu Dhabi marketing programme, which are resonating with our expanding GCC trade partner network and the end consumer. These have all been supported by the destination's increased competitiveness with average room rates down 15 per cent on July 2010 to Dh372.55," Franklin said.