Best Holiday Lettings

Category: Holidays

  • Abu Dhabi hotel guests climb 12%

    Abu Dhabi has reported a 12% rise inside the choice of guests staying in its 145 hotels and hotel apartments for the primary 1/2 this year in comparison to the 1st six months of last year.

    Figures just released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) also show that guests within the emirate are staying longer and that there were significant increases in hotel occupancies and revenues.

    During the 1st 1/2 this year some 1,333,339 guests checked into Abu Dhabi accommodation delivering 4,226,604 guest nights – an increase of 25% on 2012. On average the guest stayed 3.17 nights – that’s up 12% on last year, which translates into an occupancy rate of 71% – that’s up 8% on 2012.

    “We on target and this heightened performance, despite significant increases in resort and hotel inventory, justifies our increased efforts in trade engagement and international marketing and promotion and the expanded product operators and investors have put into the destination,” said HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi.

    “We anticipate the momentum building inside the second half the year which covers key happenings including the Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Art, the Al Ain Aerobatics Show, some of headline concerts on Yas Island and major sporting activities including the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the Wake Park World Champonship Finals.

    “On the business events front we will look ahead to hosting the International Conference on Neurology and Epidemiology that’s expected to be attended by upwards of 600 specialists in these fields and Abu Dhabi’s hosting, this December, of the Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum.”

    Year-to-date hotel revenues rose 16% to AED 2.7 billion (US $734 million) despite a slight fall-off of three% in average room rate to AED 447 (US $122). Food & beverage income continued to hang its own climbing 15% to AED 1 billion (US $287.5 million).

    Abu Dhabi’s strong performance was aided by a bumper June when guest arrivals rose 13%, guest nights increased 22%, revenues shot up by 13%, people stayed longer and occupancy increased by 6% to 65%.

    “We look going someway to breaking the cycle of major business dips in summer,” explained Al Muhairi. “And what’s really encouraging is that guests are staying longer – which means our campaign to convince those that there’s now even more to do and spot in Abu Dhabi, is taking hold. We’ve broken in the course of the three nights stay mark.”

    While domestic tourism continued to be the destination’s largest single catchment, India snatched the tip slot because the emirate’s largest overseas source market toppling the united kingdom into second place.

    Some 80,179 Indian nationals stayed in Abu Dhabi’s hotels from January until the top of June a 22% rise on last year. They accounted for 334,238 guest nights -that’s up 43% on 2012 and stayed a standard of four.17 nights – a rise of 17%.

    “We are benefitting from increased destination awareness in India following the hole a year ago of a dedicated promotions office there and likewise of increased air access from the rustic following Etihad Airways’ equity stake in Jet Airways and the move by the Indian carrier of its Middle East hub to Abu Dhabi,” explained Al Muhairi.

    During the primary six months 78,053 Britons stayed within the emirate’s hotels – a 9% increase on last year. They delivered 362,690 room nights, which was up 21% and stayed for a regular of four.65 nights – 11% greater than last year.

    Germany came in because the third largest overseas market with 62,488 of its nationals staying – 27% up on last year. Germans accounted for 296,624 guest nights, that’s an increase of 37% on 2012 and that they stayed, on average, 4.75 nights – that is 8% up on last year.

    Russians are proving to be Abu Dhabi’s longest stayers checking in for a typical of just over six nights – a six per cent increase on 2012. And more Russians are coming to the destination than ever before with 13,094 checking in in the course of the first six months – a 46% increase on 2012 – and accounting for 79,750 guest nights.

  • ETC released European Tourism in 2013 – trends & prospects

    Data for the pre-Summer period points to a tempered growth for European tourism. Nearly all of destinations reporting figures through March-June post positive growth, in keeping with the just released report on ‘European Tourism in 2013 – Trends & Prospects’ released by the eu Travel Commission (ETC).

    ETC expects that the imminent peak summer time will consolidate its positive expectations for 2013 (+1% to +3%). Yet, the persistence of a negative financial system demands a joint effort of both the private and non-private sector to create coherent stimuli and to sustain future growth.

    Data for the pre-Summer period points to a tempered growth for European tourism, despite the persistent economic malaise of the Euro-area. Out of twenty-two destinations reporting foreign visitors’ arrivals through March-June 2013, the overwhelming majority post positive growth. As tourists remain cost conscious, the expansion in overnight stays remains subdued in comparison with that of arrivals. Capacity growth has also been constrained, despite demand expansion.

    Smaller destinations lead growth in foreign arrivals. Figures available up to now show Iceland (30%) and Slovakia (20%) as top performers with regards to foreign tourist arrivals growth. Montenegro, Latvia and Croatia follow with a growth around 9%, Hungary and Poland with a growth of seven%. At the other end of the spectrum, Cyprus marked a depressed -12%, as a result of negative publicity received originally of the year.

    Growth in overnights remains subdued in comparison to that of arrivals, as travellers remain cost conscious. Notable exceptions are Latvia (+9% in arrivals and +14% in overnights), Croatia (+9% and +11% respectively), Malta (+7% and +10% respectively) and Czech Republic (+3% and +4%). The reverse trend in these destinations finds its roots in increasing visits from long-stay markets and segments, the establishment of latest connections with medium and long-haul markets or reduced fiscal pressure on tourism services.

    First months’ performance reflects robust outbound travel from key markets
    Overall data paints a favorable picture for outbound travel from intra-European markets. After few years of weak demand, most destinations report growth from the French and UK markets, and the German market consolidates the positive performance of past years. Russian demand also persists strong, bringing conspicuous gains to the Eastern European destinations. The image looks weaker instead for the Dutch and Italian market, via stalled economic growth.

    Long-haul markets continue to guide the expansion in relative terms. Chinese travel, fostered by the emerging middle class, remains well earlier than economic growth, with nearly all of destinations reporting double digit increases when it comes to arrivals and overnights. Travel from US remains solid for almost all of reporting destinations. Outbound travel from Japan looks pale against expectations, as currency depreciation offsets the positive effects of business stimuli.

    Harmonised stimuli to sustain future growth
    As the year progresses, Europe’s economic outlook looks brighter and consumers become less pessimistic about their future economic prospects. Yet, the persistence of uncertainties regarding intra-European markets and their consequences on travel patterns requires strong stimuli to sustain future tourism growth. To effectively steer the industry and accomplish growth objectives, both the private and non-private sector have to unify behind the ambition for growth. The coordinated effort of tourism authorities and industries can produce durable effects within the short-term provided that well orchestrated. The threat, otherwise, is for individual efforts to disappear.

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  • Brits find holiday build-up distressing

    Jetting off on holiday have to be the perfect thing on earth. However, in accordance with recent research by Holiday Extras, a mix of worries concerning the journey, anxiety about passports, flight delays and uncertainty over excess luggage fees, spoils the beginning of the getaway for 94% of British holidaymakers.

    The survey revealed that the largest worries before jetting off on holiday for 87% of holidaymakers are traffic and transport issues so that it will the airport, and flight delays.

    Three quarters of these surveyed said that they discovered early morning flights and strict baggage rules spoil the beginning of the vacation. Half (48 per cent) of Brits are anxious about where to depart their car and whether they’re getting the right currency rate.

    Another cause for concern is the way to keep children happy and entertained at the journey – 64% of British parents worry that their children gets bored whilst travelling.

    Women’s anxiety: packing light!
    More than three quarters of girls struggle to adhere to packing only the vacation essentials and keep inside the strict airline luggage allowances; many ladies would like to cram in half their summer wardrobe! Men find packing less of a challenge – 68% of fellows found including everything they feel they wish, and staying inside the weight limit, stressful.

    “I’ve got mine, where’s yours”

    Men don’t find checking, renewing and remembering to pack the trusty passport before a vacation as bothersome, either. 63% of British women surveyed found this one of the nerve-racking elements of holiday preparation, in comparison to 59% of guys.

    Too busy to appear forward to a holiday
    The survey also shows that plenty of people don’t give themselves enough time to get fascinated with their holidays; only 40% of Brits feel that they’re entering into the vacation mood before keeping off.

    “It’s important to begin your holiday inside the right state of mind and planning on your holiday can give you a better chance to experience the positive feelings linked to the lead as much as a vacation,” advises Honey Langcaster-James, psychologist and life coach. “The busy, high-pressure lives that folks are leading today mean that taking a vacation for a formal break is much more important in your health and well-being.”

    Anthony Clarke-Cowell, Holiday Extras’ Communications Director, said, “The excellent news is that, except flight delays, holidaymakers can easily avoid most UK-based stress-triggers with a bit planning.  Pre-booking airport parking, an overnight stay at a hotel and straightforward travel money with a FairFX card can be sure that travellers avoid the tension triggers that stop them enjoying their holiday from the off.”

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  • Two million head overseas for the good school summer getaway

    ABTA – The Travel Association estimates that two million British holidaymakers are set to go overseas this weekend for the primary weekend of the summer holidays for almost all of faculties in England (26-29 July). Spain remains the #1 destination for British holidaymakers with the Balearic and Canary Islands selling especially well, other Mediterranean destinations especially Greece, Turkey and Tunisia also are high at the list.

    The best July weather within the UK for years has also boosted domestic bookings, with tour operators reporting strong demand and a rise in last minute bookings. Holidaymakers are flocking to the Channel Islands, Lake District and the standard seaside resorts of Blackpool, Bournemouth and Brighton.

    For those heading further afield the long haul destinations of Mexico and Cuba have all sold well with Florida remaining the #1 long haul choice for families.

    Airports within the South East expect a really busy weekend with 480,000 passengers departing from Heathrow, 276,000 from Gatwick, 125,000 from Stansted and 70,000 from Luton.

    Over 100,000 shall be leaving from Scottish airports with 50,000 from Glasgow alone.

    160,000 are by using depart from Manchester, 66,000 from Birmingham, 70,000 from Newcastle, 50,000 from Bristol and 30,000 from Leeds Bradford International.

    Other regional airports, ports and the channel tunnel can also be extremely busy over the weekend with thousands leaving the rustic. Eurostar is reporting a rise in passenger numbers on last year with 70,000 warding off to Paris and the South of France over the weekend.

    Mark Tanzer ABTA Chief Executive said: “This weekend sees the beginning of the major summer holiday getaway and it’s among the many busiest of the year. Millions of holidaymakers can be keeping off overseas with the Mediterranean countries attracting the lion’s share of tourists.  The new amazing weather at home has also given a very good boost to domestic tourism and plenty of ABTA members are reporting a surge in last minute bookings for holidays through the UK. ”

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  • ABTA alert: Travellers to Egypt

    Due to the ongoing political unrest in Egypt the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has recommended against all but essential travel to the rustic, with the exception of the Red Sea Resorts.

    Holidaymakers currently in, or travelling to within the following few days, areas that the FCO advises against travel to, along with Cairo and Luxor, are advised to contact their tour operator or travel agent.

    Holidaymakers to the Red Sea Resorts, similar to Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, aren’t suffering from the change of recommendation and can have the ability to continue their holidays as planned; the resorts are operating as usual.

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