TCA Abu Dhabi plans visitor centre for Al Gweifhat
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Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) has announced its decision to create a dedicated industry development committee for Al Gharbia. The initiative is being undertaken to stimulate growth in the area. The authority is also planning to build a dedicated visitor centre in Al Gweifhat to better educate road travellers from Saudi Arabia on the region’s attraction.
The industry development committee specifically for Al Gharbia will be led by the authority but include private sector stakeholder representatives. This committee will work collaboratively to identify and activate issues to build brand awareness for the region and develop overall tourism appeal.
“There is substantial opportunity for inward tourism investment into Al Gharbia region. Currently there are only nine hotels in Al Gharbia – and only one of these is in the mid-range, four-star category. The hotels there now are performing quite well with Al Gharbia recording Abu Dhabi’s highest average room rate of around AED690,” said Mohammed Al Dhaheri, strategy and policy director, TCA Abu Dhabi.
Demand for hotel accommodation in Al Gharbia is increasing. The first quarter of this year saw a 114% leap in number of guests staying in Al Gharbia’s hotels compared to Q1 2013. The number of guest nights delivered doubled on Q1 last year despite the fact that there has been a 74% increase in number of rooms available.
“New resorts have opened on Sir Bani Yas Island but problem the region face is with average length of guest stay. This currently coming in at only 2.64 nights with average occupancy at 65%,” said Al Dhaheri. “Nevertheless we are heading in the right direction as occupancy is up 12% on last year.
The TCA director mentioned that hospitality investor returns in Al Gharbia have proved healthy with total hotel revenues in the region in Q1 this year surging 83% to AED67.3 m.
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