A total of 1.189 million guests stayed in Abu Dhabi’s hotels and hotel apartments during the first six months of this year showing an increase of 14 per cent on the same period last year. Figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) show in all 1,189,995 guests checked into hotels and hotel apartments throughout the emirate from January to June this year accounting for some 3,369,228 guest nights - an increase of 9 per cent on the comparative six months of 2011. “This is a very encouraging performance which leaves us well on track to attain our yearly target of 2.3 million guests,” said Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi. “The task ahead is to maintain the momentum but we are relatively confident of doing this as we look forward to a season ahead packed with major events, including the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi Art and the planned November opening of Yas Waterworld - which will be the UAE’s largest water park - and will further heighten the entertainment proposition of Yas Island,” he added Al Muhairi also said: “In addition, we anticipate Abu Dhabi’s hosting, this September, of the 18th World Routes Development Forum bringing a significant number of aviation and airline senior personnel to the UAE capital.” A stellar June performance of 205,950 hotel guests - figures this year were up 17 per cent on June 2011 - helped achieve the record half yearly results. “This year the entire hospitality chain, supported by significant numbers of service and attraction suppliers, came together with the Authority to mount a concerted summer campaign which offered compelling incentives to come to Abu Dhabi over summer. This co-ordinated campaign would appear to have paid off to some degree and leaves us positioned for closer collaboration in the future,” added Al Muhairi. Over the first six months of the year, Abu Dhabi achieved over 2.5 million room nights - an uplift of 8 per cent on 2011. Total revenue was up by 2 per cent to Dhs2.3 billion ($631 million), some Dhs921.8 million ($251 million) came from food and beverage income, which was up by 11 per cent, while the Dhs1.15 billion ($314 million) room revenue was a 4 per cent dip on 2011. The number of Indians staying in Abu Dhabi’s hotels rose 31 per cent to 65,519 guests accounting for 234,043 guest nights, a rise of 15 per cent on 2011, making it the second largest overseas source markets, while Germany grew 44 per cent to 49,126 with a 40 per cent guest night growth leaving it in third place. From gulftoday