Abu Dhabi hotel revenues increase 46% in Q3 as domestic tourism picks up

The emirate registered the third highest revenue per room in the Gulf region in the third quarter, official figures show

A view from one of the rooms at the Rixos hotel at Saadiyat Island. Abu Dhabi registered the highest hotel occupancy rates in the region during the third quarter. Courtesy Rixos Saadiyat Island 

Abu Dhabi hotels recorded a 46 per cent surge in third quarter revenue as domestic tourism helped the sector rebound following pandemic-related movement restrictions earlier in the year.

The emirate registered the highest hotel occupancy rates and third-biggest revenue per room in the Gulf region in the third quarter, Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism said in a statement on Sunday.

The number of guests at hotels increased 95 per cent during the period, DCT Abu Dhabi added. Hotels in Abu Dhabi began reopening in June following extensive sanitisation procedures. The majority of establishments in the emirate have enrolled in the Go Safe certification programme, which requires hotels to enforce health safety measures.

DCT Abu Dhabi said in its latest update that 93 hotels had enrolled in the government's Go Safe campaign by the third quarter.

“Despite the profound disruptions caused by restrictions to public mobility, the positive indicators we have seen ... are a testament to the agility and adaptability of Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry in response to the evolving market landscape," said Saood Al Hosani, acting undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi.

"Looking ahead, tourism continues to be one of Abu Dhabi’s most important drivers to economic growth, and we greatly look forward to continuing our work with the Abu Dhabi government, health authorities, our partners and wider community to build on these achievements for many years to come.”

Abu Dhabi hotels' performance was also complemented by an 83 per cent increase in footfall across malls and a 119 per cent increase in airline bookings.

Meanwhile, seating capacity for all airlines operating in Abu Dhabi increased 364 per cent during the third quarter, further helping the hospitality and retail sectors recover.

Abu Dhabi has offered various initiatives to support the tourism and retail industry after the coronavirus pandemic led hotels and restaurants to close down temporarily due to the movement restrictions.

The emirate has provided up to 20 per cent rental rebates for restaurants, tourism and entertainment facilities. It has also waived tourism and municipality fees for outlets in Abu Dhabi to support them in the wake of the pandemic.