Abu Dhabi hotel revenues fall on lower prices

Business recovers in September but down compared with last year

Abu Dhabi hotel revenue rose in September but were 10.9% lower than a year ago. Delores Johnson / The National

Hotel revenues in Abu Dhabi fell 10.9 per cent in September compared with last year, according to official statistics, as the capital's hoteliers slashed prices.

Revenues for the month fell 10.9 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest bulletin from Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi (Scad), as hotel prices dropped 17.6 per cent over the corresponding period.

“In general, hotel establishments’ pricing strategies are considered as one of the most important factors contributing to the growth of the tourism sector,” the centre said in the bulletin, released on Monday.

Real estate consultancy JLL's third quarter Abu Dhabi market update also showed a decline in year-on-year hotel revenues in the emirate. Revenues dropped 8 per cent year-on-year in August, it said, citing figures from STR Global.

The capital's hotel stay revenues rose 13.8 percent in September compared with August, with prices rising 5.8 per cent over the period. Serviced apartment prices rose 1 per cent over the same period, Scad said.

___________

Read more:

Middle East hotels see declining performance in September  

VAT and the hospitality sector - where will costs increase?

Saudi Arabian hospitality sector offers attractive investment opportunity, Knight Frank says

___________

There are more than 163 hotel establishments in Abu Dhabi, including hotels, resorts and serviced apartments, according to Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism.

Scad said it had started its monthly hotel accommodation index to inform decision-makers, tourists and tourist offices, and increase transparency in Abu Dhabi’s hospitality sector.