NEWS / REGIONAL
Abu Dhabi hits 2012 hotel guest target UAE capital marks its best year yet, recording 13 percent increase on 2011
The hospitality sector in Abu Dhabi continues to rise – with latest statistics showing the emirate received 2,388,023 hotel guests in its 136 hotels and hotel apartments last year – a 13 percent rise on its 2011 per- formance. The results mark a record year for the destination, with Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) achieving its set target of 2.3 million guests. The figures also show a
12 percent year-on-year rise in guest nights to 6,996,724. Hotel revenues for the period were also up – this time by 6 percent – to AED4.6 billion (US$1.261 billion).
“This is a very satisfactory
performance and gives us an excellent platform on which to now build for our 2013 target of 2.5 million guests,” said HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman, TCA Abu Dhabi. “Growth was recorded
across all key markets with the strongest coming from Africa, the GCC, Middle East and Asia. With the recent open- ing of our latest power draw, Yas Waterworld, major new resorts opening shortly, our new on-the-ground represen- tation in India and enhanced air access via Etihad’s new 2013 services from Washington
TOP 10 STATISTICS
• Hotel occupancy reached 65 percent, a slight decrease of 5 percent year-on-year
• Room revenue rose by 1 percent
• Average room rate dipped by 8 percent to AED452.90 (US$123.30). This is thought to reflect a supply- and-demand landscape in a market which has seen a 16 percent increase in the number of rooms available
• Food and beverage revenues outper- formed 2011 by 12 percent, amount- ing to AED1.8 billion (US$491 million)
• Domestic tourism accounted for some 888,241 guests – an 8 percent rise on 2011
• The UK remained Abu Dhabi’s largest international source market deliver- ing 140,393 hotel guests – a slight 1 percent rise on the previous year
• India became the destination’s second largest international source market with 138,768 hotel guests – a rise of 28 percent on 2011
• Germany ranked third with 96,802 guests representing a 42 percent increase on 2011
• Italy delivered 22 percent more guests than in 2011 reflecting the new AlItalia services between Rome and Abu Dhabi and Russia, which saw a 40 percent rise in guests
• Guests from the US and Canada were the longest stayers, visiting for 5.47 and 5.58 nights respectively
Yas Waterworld
DC and Sao Paolo, we antici- pate continued improved per- formance going forward.” Insight from the reports
shows strong growth in the number of guests coming from Africa, which was up a third on 2011, thought to be influenced by enhanced air access to the emirate via Etihad and Air Seychelles, and also from South Africa. Improved GCC arrivals
were mainly influenced by an upturn in guest numbers from Saudi Arabia, which rose 16 percent year-on-year, from Oman, which turned in a 29 percent increase and Qatar which delivered 24 percent more guests. Greater uptake from China, the Philippines and India largely accounted for the enhanced performance from Asia, which rose 28 per- cent year-on-year. “Air connectivity is a crucial element in achieving our deliver- ables and we look forward to the launch of Etihad’s planned daily service from Washington DC to Abu Dhabi this March to open up more opportunity from the US market,” added Sheikh Sultan.
Artistic approach to business at DIFC
As a key hub for art and cul- ture, Dubai International Financial Centre is attracting an increased number of fash- ion and arts events to nearby venues including the The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC. Accessible via a direct
walkway, the hotel is ideally located for brands seeking outside catering support for events in the gallery spaces. In February, the hotel
provided catering for 100 peo- ple at the launch of the new spring collection from Gap in Cuadro Gallery.
14 / This month (March) will
see the hotel catering for two further high profile events in the gallery. Director of Sales &
Marketing for The Ritz- Carlton, DIFC, Rania J. Keedy said: “The hotel is seeing a strong increase in the number of fashion and lifestyle brands wishing to hold events here. “We attribute this to our
proximity to the thriving arts scene in DIFC; our own cre- dentials as a lifestyle destina- tion and our ability to offer creativity and flexibility in
creating bespoke events.” Banana Republic launches
its new summer collection this month (March) on the hotel’s No.5 Terrace, and
Matchesfashion.com will host a four-day series of launch events towards the end of the month, with high profile guest designer Peter Pilotto. The hotel also has an on-
going partnership with Opera Gallery, which loans the hotel artwork on a quarterly basis. The gallery held its first auc- tion in the Middle East at the venue in October 2012.
The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC
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