Figures just released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) show that Abu Dhabi's 141 hotels and hotel apartments have turned in a promising Q1 performance with across the board growth in guest numbers, guest nights, average length of stay and revenues.

During the first three months of 2013 some 631,417 guests checked into accommodation throughout the emirate - a 6% rise on Q1 2012. Guest nights rose 23% to 2,119,016, the average length of stay was up 16% to 3.36 nights and total revenues climbed 15% on 2012. 

The UK maintained its position as the emirate's leading overseas guest source market delivering in Q1 some 39,841 arrivals, up 7% on Q1 2012, a total of 186,882 guest nights, an increase of 17% and an average length of stay of 4.69 nights, up 9% on the comparative period.

The Q1 results were aided by a healthy March performance when guest arrivals rose 9% on the same month in 2012 to stand at 230,974 which translated into 761,834 guest nights - a 26% month on month increase with total revenues climbing 18%, average length of stay edging up 16% and occupancy rising 7% to 74%. The results were also delivered against a background of rising room supply with four new hotel facilities - two resorts, one in Abu Dhabi city another in Al Ain, and two hotel apartments in the UAE capital - opening during Q1 and bringing an additional 706 rooms online.

Major events also helped drive March's performance with the emirate hosting Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, Abu Dhabi Festival, Abu Dhabi Air Expo and Qasr al Hosn Festival as well as welcoming performances from Sting, Andrea Boccelli and Guns N Roses. 

"The heightened competitiveness of the destination is winning additional major tour operators to our destination," explained HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi. 

"We are starting to reap the benefits of our trade engagement programme which began a year ago and in which 14 destination management companies have been represented, three of which are now opening offices in Abu Dhabi with a fourth expanding an existing office. The programme has enabled us to reach 4.4 million consumers through joint partner marketing promotions in Australia, UK, Germany and Russia while 27,850 travel agents and agencies have been engaged through promotions and educated on destination Abu Dhabi products. With our trade engagement partners we have staged 15 destination roadshows and presentations in India, Russia, Germany and the UK.

"Though the year has begun well we are acutely aware of the challenges of the summer months and will shortly be announcing a series of festival activities which we hope will drive business to our accommodation providers over the traditional low season. We also anticipate strong visitor appeal emanating from the Birth of A Museum exhibition running at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island until towards the end of July and which presents important art works from the Louvre Abu Dhabi permanent collection, some of which have never been seen, or revealed, before," added Al Muhairi.

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Results PR
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About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority:
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. 

The authority manages the emirate's tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

TCA Abu Dhabi supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate's heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination's development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.