Australian visitor numbers to Abu Dhabi soared in 2011, new figures from the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) have revealed as the tourism body branded the year its “most successful year ever” in terms of hotel guest arrivals.
The destination exceeded its target of 2 million by 6.5%, with more than 2.1 million people staying in its hotels and apartments over the course of the year, while the number of Australian guests shot up by 35% to 34,930.
December was the highest achieving month of the year with 207,723 guests checking into the emirate’s hotels, an increase of 26% on the same month the previous year. Aussie growth was well above average with Australian guests rising 75% for the month to 3,452 compared with 1,977 in December 2010.
Overall guest nights rose 22% to 6.3 million with occupancy levels climbing 7% to 69%. Revenue rose 3% to AED 4.375 billion (US $1.2 billion) as length of stay went up 5% to 2.97 nights.
ADTA chairman HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan described the result as “encouraging”.
“There is a clear correlation between our highlighted focus on specific international markets, a vibrant calendar of world-class events, increased air access with the arrival into Abu Dhabi of new carriers and the expansion of Etihad Airways’ network and a substantial increase in cross-network marketing undertaken by major new hospitality brands,” he said.
In addition, its hotel and resort inventory had increased over the course of the year to include several five star beach properties on Saadiyat Island.
The tourism body initially targeted 2.3 million guests in 2012 but will now revisit this figure in conjunction with stakeholders.
