WAM ABU DHABI: During last May, the number of guests at Abu Dhabi hotels, hotel apartments and resorts grew 12% to 192,374 who spent 542567 guestnights which also represented an increase of 7% over the corresponding period last year.

Revenues recorded 3% increase in May to AED 360 million in May as occupancy rate reached 63%, a retreat by 8% from May 2011 figures.

The average length of stay at Abu Dhabi hotels also slipped by 4% to 2.82 guestnights.

Director General of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority Mubarak Al-Muhairi said the average length of stay is one of the key metrics of performance.

He added that the body is adopting several initiatives to attract more tourists to the emirate. Among these is current The Summer In Abu Dhabi festival which represents the cornerstone of a large scale summer promotion aimed at attracting local and regional tourists.

The event features a host of two-for-one and other discount deals at a large number of the emirate s leading hotels and attractions included in this year s summer campaign, he noted.

WAM/MMYS WAM 1406 2012/06/30 END WAM/MMYS