Hotel occupancy to get a boost

Abu Dhabi's low hotel occupancy levels are set to get a boost from tourist arrivals for the fourth edition of the ‘Summer in Abu Dhabi' festival. The month-long festival, which started yesterday, will showcase family activities, international acts and shows, education and entertainment concepts in addition to ticket and hotel deals and other attractions. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Summer in Abu Dhabi is aimed at UAE residents and increasing the number of visitors to the capital during the traditionally quieter summer season. But in May ADTA also launched a six-city road show around the Gulf Cooperation Council states to promote Summer in Abu Dhabi. This year GCC families are primary targets for the festival, which includes discounts and offers through the emirate's attractions and hotels all aimed at pulling in a festival audience of 65,000 to 70,000. ADTA's latest figures show the emirate remains on course to meet its 2011 hotel guest target. Earlier this year, ADTA said it aims to deliver 1.9 million hotel guests to the 22,000 hotel rooms and together contribute 11.1 per cent to Abu Dhabi's non-oil GDP. The number of guests staying in the hotels and hotel apartments rose 10 per cent in the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year to 694,181, the data showed. Joining ADTA in its tourism drive, Etihad Airways is offering a promotion for travel during Ramadan under which children can fly, stay in luxurious hotels and enjoy Abu Dhabi's exciting attractions for as little as $1, plus government taxes. The sale is available when travelling to Abu Dhabi in Etihad's Coral Economy Class from any of the 65 global destinations currently served by the airline, tickets fow which are available for sale through July 31. The fares are applicable to travel to Abu Dhabi between August 1 and August 25. Meanwhile, the Emirates Palace Hotel is offering up to 50 per cent discounts on suites and 30 per cent off on rooms for those who book early. "The occupancy rate for suites as well as rooms is 45 per cent today. The occupancy levels are growing...the traffic has increased by up to 75 per cent in recent days," an executive for Emirates Palace's reservations department told Gulf News. "[Tourism] will stimulate and diversify the economy, generate new private sector opportunities and elevate the emirate's international standing," the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi said recently in its policy agenda. Some of Abu Dhabi's key tourist attractions Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum on Saadiyat Island should be ready in September 2013 and the Guggenheim Museum is set to open its doors to visitors in December 2013. From / Gulf News