Abu Dhabi hotels record 16% increase in revenues in Q1 2019 on the back of successful events

• Occupancy rates were at 79%, while ARR increased by 15% compared to Q1 2018
• Number of visitors from the US rose by 13.8% in the same period
• Al Ain recorded a 19.8% rise in guest numbers in Q1 2019

New data released by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCTAD) showed that total hotel revenues in the capital increased by more than 16% in Q1 2019 compared to the same period last year. Successful events such as the AFC Asian Cup, the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), Special Olympics World Games, and the Retail Abu Dhabi (RAD) shopping festival, helped in boosting visitor numbers and hotel revenues.

Other popular attractions such as Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn and Qasr Al Watan Library, also helped increase the number of visitors, according to DCTAD.

Q1 results disclosed by DCTAD indicated that the average room revenue (ARR) increased by close to 15%, while the occupancy rate rose to 79%. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased by 24.5% in the same period, while F&B revenue also rose by 10.4%. A total of 1,291,482 guests were accommodated in 169 hotels and hotel apartments in Abu Dhabi during Q1. There was also a modest increase in visitors’ average length of stay. Visitors from the US rose by 13.8% in Q1, while the average length of stay for visitors from the UK, China, India and Saudi Arabia also rose.

Saif Saeed Ghobash, undersecretary at DCTAD, said that the department would continue to focus on its key markets in Q2 2019 and promote world-class events. Upcoming events include the Al Dhafra Water Festival, the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Championship and celebratory events planned around Eid.

The Al Ain region, which falls under Abu Dhabi, registered a 19.8% increase in hotel guest numbers in Q1 2019. Recent additions to Abu Dhabi’s hotel portfolio, including the Abu Dhabi Edition – the first Edition-branded hotel in the MENA region – Jumeirah Saadiyat, Saadiyat Rotana and Jumeirah Al Wathba properties also helped draw in new visitors.

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