Abu Dhabi hotel guests up 7% in April

The number of guests staying in hotels in Abu Dhabi increased by 7 percent year-on-year during April, figures released by the emirate’s tourism body show. According to the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, 196,753 guests checked into the UAE capital’s hotels and hotel apartments during the month, news agency WAM reported. While total hotel revenue rose by 4 percent to AED397m (US$108m) in April, hotel occupancy sagged 11 percent compared to the year previous, standing at 64 percent. Length of stay slipped 3 percent, standing at just under three nights. The emirate's biggest source of arrivals was the UK, the tourism authority said, followed by India. "Overall performance in the first four months of this year has to be viewed positively, certainly if we can maintain guest growth we will reach our annual target of 2.3m this year - with some important projects coming up later this year to benefit from," said Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general at the Tourism and Culture Authority. He added that September’s hosting of the World Routes Development Forum at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre, as well as November’s Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi Art events, would likely boost numbers later in 2012. From Arabian Business